F46.205I 


/ 


FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 


REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE    LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


Dittaion 


Section 


HORjE    LTRJtf&fii^ 


— - 


P    O    E 

Chiefly  of  the  Lyric  Kind, 
In    THREE    BOOKS. 

SACRED 

I.  To  Devotion  and  Piety. 

II.  To  Virtue,  Honour  and  Friendship^ 

III.  To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead. 

By  /.  WATTS,  D.  D. 

The  Tenth  Edition,  Corrected. 


•Si  non  Uranie  Lyram 


Ccelejiem  cohibit,  nee  Polyhymnia 
Humanum  refugit  tendere  Barbiton. 

Hor.  Od.  I.  imitat 


NEPF-TORK: 

Printed  and  Sold,  by  HUGH  GAIN E,  Book- 
feller  and  Stationer,  at  the  Bible  and  Cr9Wn>  m 
Hanover-Square. 

M,DCC,LXIL 


T  HE 

PREFACE. 

/^"J^^P^  T  has  been  a  long  Complaint  of  the  vir- 
Jf  j  ^  tuous  and  refined  World,  that  Poefy,  whofe 
&  ^  Original  is  Divine,  fhould  be  enflaved  to 
hjM^iM  ^lCQ  an(*  Profanenefs  ;  that  an  Art  in- 
fpired  from  Heaven,  fhould  have  fo  far  loft 
the  Memory  of  its  Birth-place,  as  to  be  engaged  in 
the  Interefts  of  Hell.  How  unhappily  is  it  perverted 
from  its  mofl:  glorious  Defign  !  How  bafely  has  it  been , 
driven  away  from  its  proper  Station  in  the  Temple  of 
God,  and  abufed  to  much  Difhonour  !  The  Iniquity 
of  Men  has  conftrained  it  to  ferve  their  vilefr,  Purpofes, 
while  the  Sons  of  Piety  mourn  the  Sacrilege  and  the 
Shame. 

The  eldefl:  Song  which  Hiftory  has  brought  down 
to  our  Ears,  was  a  noble  Act  of  Worfhip  paid  to  the 
God  of  Jfrael)  when  his  Right  Hand  became  glorious  in 
Power  \  when  thy  Right  Hand,  O  Lord,  dajhed  in 
Pieces  the  Enemy  :  The  Chariots  of  Pharaoh  and  his 
Mojis  wen  cajl  into  the  Red  Sea ;  Thou  didfl  blow  with 
thy  Wind)  the  Deep  covered  them,  and  they  fank  as  Lead 
in  the  mighty  Waters,  Exod.  xv.  This  Art  was  main- 
tained facred  thro'  the  following  Ages  of  the  Church, 
and  employed  by  Kings  and  Prophets,  by  David, 
Solomon,  and  Isaiah,  in  defcribing  the  Nature 
and  the  Glories  of  God,  and  in  conveying  Grace 
or  Vengeance  to  the  Hearts  of  Men.  By  this  Me- 
thod they  brought  fo  much  of  Heaven  down  to  this 
lower  World,  as  the  Darknefs  of  that  Difpenfation 
would  admit :  And  now  and  then  a  divine  and  poetic 
A  2  Rapture 


iv  The    P  R  E  F  J  C  E. 

Rapture  lifted  their  Souls  far  above  the  Level  of  that 
OEconomy  of  Shadows,  bore  them  away  far  into  a 
brighter  Region,  and  gave  them  a  Glimpfe  of  Evan- 
gelic Dav.  The  Life  of  Angels  was  harmoniouAy 
breathed  into  the  Children  of  Adam,  and  their  Minds 
railed  near  to  Heaven  in  Melody  and  Devotion  at 
once. 

In  the  younger  Days  of  Heathenifm  the  Mufes 
were  devoted  to  the  fame  Service  ;  the  Language  iu 
which  old  Hesiod  addrefles  them  is  this  : 

Pierian  Mufes,  fcrnid  for  heavenly  Lays, 
Defcend)  and  ftng  the  God  your  Father  s  Praife. 

And  he  purfues  the  Subject  in  ten  pious  Lines,  which 
i  could  not  bear  to  tranferibe,  if  the  Afpedt  and  Sound 
of  fo  much  Greek  were  not  terrifying  to  a  nice  Reader. 

But  fome  of  the  latter  Poets  of  the  Pagan  World 
have  debafed  this  Divine  Gift  ;  and  many  of  the 
Writers  of  the  firft  Rank  in  this  our  Age  of  National 
Chri/Jians,  have,  to  their  eternal  Shame,  furpalTed  the 
vileft  of  the  Gentiles,  They  have  not  only  diuobed 
Religion  of  all  the  Ornaments  of  Verfe,  but  have  em- 
ployed their  Pens  in  impious  Mifchief,  to  deform  her 
natire  Beauty,  and  defile  her  Honours.  They  have 
expofed  her  moil  facred  Character  to  Drollery,  and 
dreiTed  her  up  in  a  moll:  vile  and  ridiculousDifguife,  for 
the  Scorn  of  the  ruder  Herd  of  Mankind.  The  Vices 
have  been  painted  like  fo  many  Goddefles,.  the  Charms 
of  "Wit  have  been  added'  to  Debauchery,  and  the 
Temptation  heightened  where  Nature  needs  the  ftrong- 
cft  Reftraints.  With  Sweetnefs  of  Sound,  and  Deli- 
cacy of  ExprefTic-n,  they  have  given  a  Relifh  to  Blaf- 
phemies  of  the  harm  eft  kind  \  and  when  they  rant  at 
their  Maker  in  ibnorous  Numbers,  they  fancy  them- 
ienes  to  have  acted  the  Hero  well. 

Thus  almolt  in  Vuin  have  the  Throne  and  the  Pul- 
pit cried  Reformation  \  while  the  Stage  and  licentious 
Poems  have  waged  open  War  with  the  pious  Defign  of 
Church  and.  Stale.     The  Piefs  has  ipruad  the  Poifon 

far, 


7  he    PREFACE. 

far,  ami  fcattered  wide  the  mortal  Infection  :  Unthink- 
ing Youth  have  been  enticed  to  Sin  beyond  the  vicious 
Propenfities  of  Nature,  plunged  early  into  Difeafes 
and  Death,  and  funk  down  to  Damnation  in  Multi- 
tudes. Was  it  for  this  that  Poefy  was  endued  with  all 
thefe  Allurements  that  lead  the  Mind  away  in  a  pleaf- 
ing  Captivity  ?  Was  it  for  this,  Hie  was  furnimed  with 
fo  many  intellectual  Charms,  that  me  might  feduce 
the  Heart  from  GOD,  the  original  Beauty  and  the 
moil  lovely  of  Beings  ?  Can  I  ever  be  perfuaded,  that 
thole  fweet  and  renftlefs  Forces  of  Metaphor,  Wit, 
Sound,  and  Number,  were  given  with  this  Defign, 
that  thev  fhpuld  be  all  ranged  under  the  Banner  of  the 
great  malicious  Spirit,  to  invade  the  Rights  of  Hea- 
ven, and  to  bring  fwift  and  everlaiting  Deitruclion 
upon  Men  ?  How  will  thefe  Allies  of  the  nether 
World,  the  leud  and  profane  Wfifiers,  Hands  aghaft 
before  the  great  Judge,  when  the  Blood  of  many 
Souls,  whom  they  never  faw,  fhall  be  laid  to  the 
Charge  of  their  Writings,  and  be  dreadfully  required 
at  their  Hands  ?  The  Reverend  Mr.  Collier  has  ki 
this  awful  Scence  before  them  in  juft  and  flaming  Co- 
lours. If  the  Application  were  not  too  rude  and  un- 
civil, that  noble  Stanza  of  my  Lord  Roscommon", 
on  Pfalm  cxlviii.  might  be  addreffed  to  them  : 

Ye  Dragons,  zvhofe  contagious  Breath 

Peoples  the  dark  Retreats  of  Death, 

Change  your  dire  HiJJings  into  Heavenly  Songsy 

And  praife  your  Aiaker  with  your  forked  Tongues. 

This  Profanation  and  Debafement  of  fo  divine  an 
Art,  has  tempted  fome  weaker  Chrhlians  to  imagine 
that  Poetry  and  Vice  are  naturally  akin  ;  or  at  leaft, 
that  Verfe  is  fit  only  to  recommend  Triffles,  and  en- 
tertain our  loofer  Hours,  but  it  is  too  light  and  trivial 
a  Method  to  treat  any  thing  that  is  ferious  and  facred. 
They  fubmit,  indeed,  to  ufe  it  in  Divine  Pfalmody, 
but  they  love  the  driefl  Tranfiation  of  the  Pfalm  befr. 
They  will  venture  to  fing  a  dull  Hymn,  or  two  at 
A  %  Church, 


vi  The    P  R  E  F  J  C  I. 

Church,  In  Tunes  of  equal  Dulnefs  :  but  full  they 
periuade  themielves,  and  their  GhHdren,  that  the 
Beauties  of  Poeiy  are  vain  and  dan^cio!^.  All  that 
arifes  a  Degree  idSove  Air.  Sternhold  is  too  airy 
tor  Worfhip,  and  hardly  escapes  the  Sentence  of  un- 
clean and  abominable*  Tis  fhange,  thar  Perfons  that 
have  the  Bible  in  their  Hands,  (houid  be  led  away  by 
thoughtlefs  Prejudices  to  fo  wiid_  and  raih  an  O- 
pinion.  Let  me  entreat  them  not  to  indulge  this  four, 
tnis  cenforious  Humour- too  far,  leit  the  Sacred  Wri- 
ters fall  under  the  Lam  of  their  unlimitted  and  un- 
guarded Reproaches  Let  me  entreat  them  to  look- 
into  their  Bibles,  and  remember  the  Style  and  Way 
of  Writing  that  is  ufed  by  the  antient  Prophets.  Have 
they  -forgot,  or  were  they  never  told,  that  many  Parts 
of  the  Old  Teftainent  are  Hebrew  Verfe  ?  And  the 
Figures  arc  flronger,  and  the  Metaphors  bolder,  and 
the  Images  more  furprifing  and  ftrange  than  ever  I 
read  in  any  profane  Writer.  When  Deborah  iings 
her  Praifes  to  the  GOD  of  Ifrael,  while  he  marched 
from  the  Field  of  Edom,  fhe  fets  the  Earth  a  trembling, 
the  Heavens  drop,  and  the  Mountains  dijjolve  from  be- 
■fore  the  Lord.  They  fought  from  Heaven,  the  Stars  in 
i heir  Courfes  fought  againji  Sisera  :  When  the  River 
of  Kifhon  fivept  them  away,  that  antient  River,  the 
River  Kifhon.  O  my  Soul,  thou  hajl  trodden  down 
Strength,  Judg.  v.  cifY.  When  Eliphaz,  in  the 
Book  of  Job,  fpeaks  his  Senfe  of  the  Holinefs  of  God, 
he  introduces  a  Machine  in  a  Vifion  :  Fear  came  upon 
me,  Trembling  on  all  ?ny  Bones,  the  Hair  of  my  Flejh 
flood  up  ;  a  Spirit  pajjed  by  and  flood  fill,  but  its  Form 
was  undifcernible  ;  an  Image  before  mine  Eyes ;  and  Si- 
•  leme ;  Then  I  heard  a  Voice,  faying,  Shall  mortal  Man 
f  be  morejuft  than  God?  Sec.  Job  iv.  When  he  defcribes 
"  the  Safety  of  the  Righteous,  he  hides  him  from  the 
Scourge  of  the  Tongue,  he  makes  him  laugh  at  Dejlruc- 
.  tion  and  Famine,  he  brings  the  Stones  of  the  Field  into 
League  with  him,  and  makes  the  Brute  Animals  enter 
into  a  Covenant  of  Peace,  Job  v.  21,  &c*  When  Job 

fpeaks 


The    PREFACE.  vii 

fpeaks  of  the  Grave,  how  melancholy  is  the  Gloom 
that  he  fpreads  over  it !  It  is  a  Region  to  which  I  muft 
ftorfy  go  and  whence  1  fall  not  return ;  it  is  a  Land 
of  Darknefs it  is  Darknefs  itfelf,  the  Land  of  the  Sha- 
dowof  Death  ;  all  Confufion'  id  Diforder/aJwL 
the  Light  »™  Darknefs.  This  is  m/Houfe,  there  Z 
I  made  my  Bed :  I  have  faidto  Corruption,  Thou  art  my 
Father,  and  to  the  Worm,  Thou  art  my  Mother  and  my 

WT1      jf°r  my  P1*'*-  who  Jhallfe    ''t?  I  andm<; 
Hope  go  down  together  to  the  Bars  of  the  Pit    Tob  x 
21.  and  xvii.  13    When  he  humbles  himfelf  in  CW 
Plainings  before  the  Almightinefs  of  GOD,  what  con- 
tempt.ble  and  feeole  Images  doth  he  ufe  !  Wilt  thou 

Irf^mf/^r  <"**&?  J™t thou  purfue  th* 
dry  Stubble  ?  I  confume  away  like  a  rotten  thing,  i  Gar- 
ment eaten  by  the  Moth,  Job  Xiii.   25,  &c.   flu  E& 

folveftmy  Subftance y  Job  xxiii.  22.  Can  any  Man  in- 

He^H ZTief7hh(  ld/aS,  toreWent  th/ Scoundrel 
Herd  and  Refofe  of  Mankind,  than  thofe  which  Tob 
nfes  ?  Chap  xxx.  and  thereby  he  aggravates  his  own 
Sorrows  and  Reproaches  to  Amazement:  Thy  Z 
are  younger  than  1  have  me  in  Derifon,  whofe  Fathers  I 
yould  have  difdained  to  have fet  with  the  Dogs  If  my  Fllk- 
for  Want  and  Famine  they  were  folitary  ■  V^ into  the 
Wldernefs  deflate  and  wajle  :  They  out  up  fallows  L 
the  Bujhes,  and  Jumper-roots  for  their  Meat  •  Thi 
were  driven  forth  from  among' Men,  (they  cried  a  Z 
them  as  after  a  Thief)  to  dwell  in  the  Cliffslf  th eVatZ 

Bujhes  they  brayed,  under  the  Nettles  they  tvere  J/J/d 
together;  they  were  Children  of  Fools  L  rh€  s 
hafiMen;  they  were  viler  thai  £&&  jfnZ  £ 
I  their  Song  yea ,  /  am  their  By-word,  &c  How 
mournfu  and  dejected  is  the  Language  of  his  own 
J:/™"'  '"rnedupon  hi,  Shy  purfuThl 

Ckud     tPnd'  and-hiS  Wdfar°  P^sLayasl 

U°f,hts  Bones  are  p,erted  within  him,  and  his  Sou' 

,t  poured  out;  be  goes  mourniug  without  the  Sun,  a b2 

A  4-  ther 


friii  71*    PREFACE. 

ther  to  Dragons,  and  a  Companion  to  Owls ;  while  his 
Harp  and  Organ  are  turned  into  the  Voiee  of  them  that 
weep.  I  mult  transcribe  one  half  of  this  holy  Book, 
if  I  would  mew  the  Grandeur,  the  Variety,  and  the 
Juftnefs  of  his  Ideas,  or  the  Pomp  and  Beauty  of  his 
Expreflion  :  I  mull  copy  out  a  good  part  of  the  Writ- 
ings of  David  and  Isaiah,  if  1  would  reprefent 
the  poetical  Excellencies  of  their  Thoughts  and  Style  : 
Nor  is  the  Language  of  the  leiler  Prophets,  efpecially 
in  fome  Paragraphs,  much  inferior  to  thefe. 

Now  while  they  paint  human  Nature  in  its  various 
Forms  and  Circuroftances,  if  their  Defigning  be  fo 
juil  and  noble,  their  Difpofition  fo  artful,  and  their 
Colouring  fo  bright,  beyond  the  molt  famed  human 
Writers,  how  much  more  muft  their  Defcriptions  of 
God  and  Heaven  exceed  all  that  is  pofiible  to  be  fai$ 
by  a  meaner  Tongue  ?  When  they  fpeak  of  the  Dwel- 
ling-place of  GOD,  He  inhabits  Eternity,  and  fits  upon 
the  Throne  of  his  Holinefs,  in  the  midji  of  Light  inac- 
cejfible*  When  his  Holinefs  is  mentioned,  The  Hea- 
vens are  not  clean  in  his  Sight,  he  charges  his  Angels  with 
Folly  :  He  looks  to  the  Moon,  and  it  fbineth  not,  and  the 
Stars  are  not  pure  before  his  Eyes  :  He  is  a  jealous  God% 
and  a  confuming  Fire.  If  we  fpeak  of  Strength,  Z?<v 
hold,  he  is  Jhong  :  He  removes  the  Mountain*,  and  they 
know  it  not,  He  overturns  them  in  his  Anger  :  He  Jhakes 
the  Earth  from  her  Place,  and  her  Pillars  tremble :  He 
makes  a  Path  through  the  mighty  Waters,  he  dijcovers 
the  Foundations  of  the  JVorld  :  The  Pillars  of  Heaven 
are  qftonijhed  at  his  Reproof  And  after  all,  Thefe  are 
but  a  Portion  of  his  Ways  :  The  Thunder  of  his  Power 
who  can  under/land ?  His  Sovereignty,  his  Knowledge, 
and  his  Wifdom,  are  revealed  to  us  in  Language  vaffiy 
fuperior  to  all  the  poetical  Accounts  of  Heathen  Divi- 
nity. Let  the  PotJJjerds  ftrive  with  the  Pot/herds  of  th? 
Earth  ;  but  Jhall  the  Clay  fay  to  him  that  Jo/hi  on  rth  it, 
iPhat  make  ft  thou  ?  He  bids  the  Heavens  drop  down  from 
above,  and  let  the  Skies  pour  down  Rightcoufnefs.  If- 
commands  the  Sun%  and  it  rifetb  not,  and  he  fcalcth  up 
■ 


-The    PREFACE.  ix 

Ahe  Stars.  It  is  he  that  faith  to  the  Deep,  Be  dry,  and 
he  drieih  up  the  Rivers.  Woe  to  them  that  feek  deep  to 
hide  their  Counfel  from  the  Lord :  his  Eyes  are  upon  all 
their  Ways,  he  under/lands  their  Thoughts  afar  off.  Hell 
is  naked  before  him,  and  Dejhuclion  hath  no  Covering. 
He  calls  out  all  the  Stars  by  their  Names,  he  fru/hateib 
the  Tokens  of  the  Liars,  and  makes  the  Diviners  mad  : 
He  turns  wife  Men  backward,  and  their  Knowledge  be- 
comes foolifh.  His  tranfeendent  Eminence  above  all 
Things  is  moft  nobly  reprefented,  whenheyfo  upon  the 
Circle  of  the  Earth,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  are  as 
Grajhoppers  :  All  Nations  before  him  are  as  the  Drop  of 
a  Bucket,  and  as  the  fmall  Dujl  of  the  Ballance :  Hs 
takes  up  the  Ifles  as  a  very  little  thing  :  Lebanon,  with 
all  her  Beafts,  is  not  fujficient  for  Sacrifice  to  this  Gody 
nor  are  all  her  Trees  fujficient  for  the  Burning.  This 
GOD,  before  whom  the  whole  Creation  is  as  nothings 
yea,  lefs  than  nothing,  and  Vanity.  To  which  of  all  the 
Heathen  Gods  then  will  ye  compare  me,  faith  the  Lor d+ 
and  what  Jhall  I  be  likened  to.  And  to  which  of  all 
the  Heathen  Poets  fhall  we  liken  or  compare  this  glo- 
rious Orator,  the  facred  Defcriber  of  the  Godhead  ? 
The  Orators  of  all  Nations  are  as  nothing  before  him, 
and  their  Words  are  Vanity  and  Emptinefs.  Let  us 
turn  our  Eyes  now  to.  fome  of  the  Holy  Writings, 
where  GOD  is  creating  the  World  :  How  meanly  do 
the  beft  of  the  Gentiles  talk  and  trifle  upon  this  Sub- 
ject, when  brought  into  Comparifon  with  Mose^, 
whom  Longinus  hiu.felf,  a  Gentile  Critic,  cites  as 
a  Mailer  of  the  Sublime  Style,  when  he  chofe  to  ufe 
it  j:  Arid  the  Lord  faid,  Let  there  be  Light,  and  then 
was  Light ;  Let  there  be  Clouds  and  Seas,  Sun  and  Stars > 
Plants  and  Animals,  and  behold  they  are :  He  com- 
manded, and  they  appear  and  obey  :  By  the  Word  of 
the  Lord  were  the  Heavens  made,  and  all  the  Hojl  of 
them  by  the  Breath  of  his  Mouth :  This  is  working  like 
a  G  O  D,  with  infinite  Eafe  and  Omnipotence.  His 
Wonders  of  Providence  for  the  Terror  and  R  uin  of 
His  Adverfai  ies,  and  for  the  Succour  of  His  Saints,  is 
A  5  kt 


x  The    P  R  E  F  A  C  E*' 

fet  before  our  Eyes  in  the  Scripture  with  equal  Mag-  • 
niiicence,  and  as  becomes  Divinity.     When  he  arifes 
cut  of  his  Place,  the  Earth  trembles,  the  Foundations  of 
the   Hills  are  Jhaken  becaufe  he  is  wroth :  There  goes  a 
Smoke  out  of  his  Noflrils,  and  Fire  out  of  his  Mouth  de- 
voured, Coals  are  kindled  by  it.    He  bows  the  Heavens? 
and  comes  down,  and  Darknefs  is  under  his  Feet.     The 
Mountains  melt  like  Wax,  and  flow  down  at  his  Pre- 
fence.     If  Virgil,   Homer,    or  Pindar,  were  to 
prepare  an  Equipage   for   a   defcending   God,    they 
might  ufe  Thunder  and  Lightnings  too,  and  Clouds 
and  Fire,  to  form  a  Chariot  and  Horfes  for  the  Bat- 
tle, or  the  Triumph  ;  but  there  is  none  of  them  pro- 
vides him  a  Flight  of  Cherubs  inftead  of  Horfes,  or 
feats   him  in  Chariots  of  Salvation.     David  beholds 
Him  riding  upon  the  Heaven  of  Heavens,  by  his  Name 
JAH  :  He  was  mounted  upon  a  Cherub,  and  did  fly,  he 
flew  on  the  Wings  of  the  Wind',  and  II abakuk  fends 
the  Pejlilence  before  him.    Homer  keeps  a  mighty  Stir 
with  his  Nubicogus  Jupiter,  and  Hssiod  with  his 
Jupiter  Fremitus,  Jupiter,  that  raiies  up  the  Clouds, 
and  that  makes  a  Noife,  or  thunders  on  high.     But  a 
Divine  Poet  makes  the  Clouds  but  the  Duji  of  his  Feet ; 
and  when  the  Highe/l  gives  his  Voice  in  the  Heavens-, 
Hail-Jlones  and  Coals  of  Fire  follow.     A  Divine  Poet 
difcovers  the  Channels  of  the  Waters,  and  lays  open  the 
Foundations  of  Nature  ;    at  thy  Rebuke,   O  Lord,    at 
the  Blafl  of  the  Breath  of  thy  Noftrils.     When   the 
HOLY  ONE  alighted  upon  Mount  Sanai,  his  Glory 
covered  the  Heavens  :  He  flood  and  meafured  the  Earth  : 
He  beheld  and  drove  afunder  the  Nations,  and  the  ever- 
laftitig  Mountains  were  fcattered :  The  perpetual  Hills 
did  blow  -,  his  Ways  are  everlafling.     Then  the  Pro- 
phet faw  the  Tents  of  Cufhan  in  Affliction,    and  the 
Curtains  of  the  Land  of  Midian  did  tremble,  Hab.  iii. 
Nor  did  the  BlefTed  Spirit  which  animated  thefe  Wri- 
ters forbid  them  the  Ufe  of  Vifions,   Dreams,  the 
opening  of  Scenes  dreadful  and  delightful,  and  the  In- 
troduction of  Machines  upon  great  Occafons  :   The 

Divine 


The    PREFACE.'  x\ 

Divine  Licence  in  this  refpecl:  is  admirable  and  furpri- 
fmg,  and  the  Images  are  often  too  bold  and  dangerous 
for  an  uninfpired  Writer  to  imitate.  Mr.  Dennis 
has  made  a  noble  Eflay  to  difcover  how  much  fuperior 
is  infpired  Poefy  to  the  brighter!:  and  beft  Defcriptions 
of  a  mortal  Pen.  Perhaps,  if  his  Propofal  of  Criticifm 
had  been  encouraged  and  purfued,  the  Nation  might 
have  learnt  more  Value  for  the  Word  of  GOD,  and 
the  Wits  of  the  Age  might  have  been  fecured  from 
the  Danger  of  Deifm ;  while  they  muft  have  been 
forced  to  confefs  at  leaft  the  Divinity  of  all  the  poeti- 
cal Books  of  Scripture,  when  they  fee  a  Genius  run- 
ning through  them  more  than  human. 

Who  is  there  now  will  dare  to  afTert,  that  the 
Doctrines  of  our  Holy  Faith  will  not  endulge  or  en- 
dure a  delightful  Drefs?  Shall  the. French  Poet  *  af- 
fright us,  by  faying, 

De  la  fay  d7  un  Chretim  les  Myfteres  terrible '$9. 
.D'  Ornemens  egayez  ne  font  point  fufceptibles  f. 

(But  the  French  Criticf,  in  his  Reflections  upon- 
Eloquence,  tell  us,  "  That  the  Majefty  of  our  Re- 
"  ligion,  the  Holinefs  of  its  Laws,  the  Purity  of  its- 
":  Morals,  the  Heighth  of  its  Myfteries,  and  the  Im- 
u  portance  of  every  Subject  that  belongs  to  it  requires 
**'  a  Grandeur,  a  Noblenefs,  a  Majefty,  and1  Elevation 
<£  of  Style  fuited  to  the  Theme  :  Sparkling  Images 
"  and  magnificent  Expreflions  muft  be  ufed,  and  are 
"beft  borrowed  from  Scripture":  Let  the  Preacher, 
"  that  aims  at  Eloquence,  read  the  Prophets  incef- 
'**  fantly,  for  their  Writings  are  an  abundant  Source 
"  of  all  the  Riches  and  Ornaments  of  Speech."  And, 
in  my  Opinion,  this  is  far  better  Counfel  than  Horace 
gives  us,  when  he  fays, 

—  Vos  examplariu-Gracer 

Noffurnd  v erf  ate  Manu^verfate  dturna* 

A  6  /> 

*  Boiteaw.  f  Rapin. 


xii  The    PR  E  F  AC  E. 

As  in  the.  Conduct  of  my  Studies  with  regard  to 
I)ivinity,  I  have  reafon  to  repent  of  nothing  more 
than  that  I  have  not  perufed  the  Bible  with  more  Fre- 
quency ;  (o  if  I  were  to  let  up  for  a  Poet,  with  a  De- 
iign  to  exceed  all  the  modern  Writers,  I  would  fol- 
low the  Advice  of  Rapin,  and  read  the  Prophets 
Night  and  Day.  I  am  fure,  the  Compofures  of  the 
following  Book  would  have  been  filled  with  much  great- 
er Senfe,  and  appeared  with  much  more  agreeable  Or- 
naments, had  I  derived  a  larger  Portion  from  the  Holy 
•Scriptures, 

Besides,  we  may  fetch  a  further  Anfwer  to  MonC 
Boileau's  Objection,,  from  other  Poets  of  his  own 
Country.  What  a  noble  Ufe  have  Racine  and 
Corneille  made  of  Chriftian  Subjects,  in  fome  of 
their  bell  Tragedies  I  What  a  Variety  of  Divine 
Scenes  are  difplayed,  and  pious  Pailions  awakened  in 
thofeFoems  ?  The  Martyrdom  of  Polyeucte,  how 
doth  it  reign  over  our  Love  and  Pity,  and  at  the  fame- 
time  animate  our  Zeal  and  Dovotion  !  May  I  here 
be  permitted  the  Liberty  to  return  my  Thanks  to 
that  fair  and  ingenious  Hand*  that  directed  me  to  fucli 
'Entertainments  in  a  foreign  Language,  which  I  had 
Jong  wifhed  for,  and  fought  in  vain  in  our  own.  Yet 
I  mud:  confefs,  that  the  Davideis,  and  the  twoe 
Arthurs,  have  fo  far  anfwered  Boileau's  Objec- 
tion, in  Engtijhy  as  that  the  Obfracles.  of  attempting 
Chriflian  Poefy  are  broken  down,  and  the  vain  Pre- 
tence of  its  being  impracticable,  is  experimentally 
confuted}-. 

It  is  true  indeed,  the  Chriftian  Myfteries  have  not. 
fuch  need  of  gay  Trappings  as  beautified,  or  rather 

compofed,. 

*  Philomela, 

f  Sir  Richard  Blackmore,  in  his- adrrirable  Preface  to  his 
laft  Poem  entitled  Alfred,  has  more  copioufly  refuted  all 
Boileau\  Arguments  on  this  Subject,  and  that  with  great 
Juft'ce  and  Elegance.  1713.  I  am  perfuaded  that  many  Per^ 
firms  who  defpife  the  Poem  would  acknowledge  the  juft  Seiv- 
t«rtents  oi  that  Preface* 


ne    PREFACE*  xiii 

compofed,  the  Heathen  SuperfHtion.  But  this  ftiil 
makes  ferine  greater  Eafe  and  furer  Succe'fs  of  the 
Poet.  The  Wonders  of  our  Religion,  in  a  plain 
Narration  and  a  fimple  Drefs,  have  a  native  Gran- 
deur, a  Dignity,  and  a  Beauty  in  them,  though  they 
do  not  utterly  difdain  all  Methods  of  Ornament.  The 
Book  of  the  Revelation?  feems  to  be  a  Prophecy  in  the 
Form  of  an  Opera,  or  a  Dramitic  Poem,  where  Di- 
vine Art  illuftrates  the  Subject  with  many  charming 
Glories  ;  but  ftill  it  mull  be  acknowledged,  that  the 
naked  Themes  of  Christianity  have  fomething  bright- 
er and  bolder  in  them,  fomething  more  furprifing  and 
celeftial  than  all  the  Adventures  of  Gods  and  Heroes, 
all  the  dazling  Images  of  faife  Lullre  that  Form  and 
garnifh  a  Heathen  Song  :  Here  the  very  Argument 
would  give  wonderful  Aids  to  the  Mufe,  and  the  hea- 
venly Theme  wouM  fo  relieve  a  dull  Hour,  and  a 
languimihg  Genius,  that  when  the  Mufe  nods,  the 
Senfe  would  burn  and  fparkle  upon  the  Reader,  and 
keep  him  feelingly  awake. 

With  how  much  lefs  Toil  and  Expence  might  a 
Dryden,  an  Otway,  -a  Congreve,  or  a  Dennis,. 
furniih  out  a  Chriilian  Poem,  than  a  modern  Flay  ? 
There  k  nothing  amongfl  all  the  antient  Fables,  or 
later  Romances,  that  have  two  fuch  Extremes  uni- 
ted in  them,  as  the  Eternal  GOD  becoming  an  In- 
fant of  Days  ;-  the  Poffeflor  of  the  Palace  of  Heaven 
kid  to.  fleep  in  a  Manger  ;  the  Holy  JESUS,  who 
knew  no  Sin,  bearing  the  Sins  of  Men  in  his  Body 
on  the  Tree  *  Agonies  of  Sorrow  loading  the  Soul  of 
Him  who  was  GOD  over  all,  blefled  for  ever ;  and 
the  Sovereign  of  Life  ftretching  his  Arms  on  a  Crofs, 
bleeding  and  expiring :  The  Heaven  and  the  Hell  in 
our  Divinity  are  infinitely  more  delightful  and  dread- 
ful than  the  childifh  |  Figments  of  a  Dog  with  three 
Heads,  the  Buckets  of  the  Betides*  the  Furies  with 
ihaky  Hairs,  or  all  the  flowry  Stories  of  Elyjiwn. 
And  if  we  furvey  the  one  as  Themes  divinely  true, 
and  the  other  as  a.  Medley  of  Fooleries  which  we 

can 


xiv  The    P  R  E  F  A  C  E. 

can  never  believe,  the  Advantage  far  touching  the 
Springs  of  Pafiion  will  fall  infinitely  on  the  Side  of  the 
Chriftian  Poet ;  our  Wonder  and  our  Love,  our  Pity, 
Delight,  and  Sorrow,  with  the  long  Train  of  Hopes 
and  Fears,  mult  needs  be  under  the  Command  of 
an  harmonious  Pen,  whofe  every  Line  makes  a  Part 
of  the  Reader's  Faith,  and  is  the  very  Life  or  Death 
of  his  Soul. 

If  the  trifling  and  incredible  Tales  that  furnifh  out 
a  Tragedy,  are  fo  armed  by  Wit  and  Fancy,  as  to 
become  Sovereign  of  the  rational  Powers,  to  triumph 
over  all  the  Affections,  and  manage  our  Smiles  and 
our  Tears  at  Pleafure  j  how  wondrous  a  Conquer! 
mi^ht  be  obtained  over  a  wild  World,  and  reduce  it, 
at  leaft,  to  Sobriety,  if  the  fame  happy  Talent  were 
employed  in  dremng  the  Scenes  of  Religion  in  their 
proper  Figures  of  Majefty,  Sweetnefs,  and  Terror  ? 
The  Wonders  of  Creating  Power,  of  Redeeming 
Love,  and  Renewing  Grace,,  ought  not  to  be  thus 
impioufiy  neglected  by  thofe  whom  Heaven  has  endu- 
ed with  a  Gift  fo  proper  to  adorn  and  cultivate  them ; 
an  Ait  whofe  fweet  Infinuations  might  almoft  convey 
Piety  in  refitting  Nature,  and  melt  the  hardeft  Souls 
to  the  Love  of  Virtue.  The  Affairs  of  this  Life,  with 
their  Reference  to  a  Life  to  come,  would  mine  bright 
in  a  Dramatic  Defcription  ;  nor  is  there  any  Need  or 
any  Reafon  why  we  mould  always  borrow  the  Plan  or 
Hiftory  from  the  antient  Jews,  or  primitive  Martyrs  ; 
though  feveral  of  thefe  would  furnifh  out  noble  Mate- 
rials for  this  fort  of  Poefy  :  But  modern  Scenes  would 
be  better  underffood  by  moft  Readers,  and  the  Appli- 
cation would  be  much  more  eafy.  The  Anguifh  of 
inward  Guilt,  the  fecret  Stings  and  Racks  and  Scourges 
of  Confcience  ;  the  fweet  retiring  Hours,  and  fera- 
phical  Joys  of  Devotion  ;  the  Victory  of  a  refolved 
Soul  over  a  thoufand  Temptations  ;  the  inimitable 
Love  and  Paffion  of  a  dying  GOD  ;  the  awful  Glo- 
ries of  the  laft  Tribunal  -,  the  grand  decifive  Sentence, 
from  which  there  is  no  Appeal  j  and  the  confequent 

Tranfports 


The     P  R 

Transports  of  Horrors  or  the  two  eternal  Worlds; 
thefe  things  may  be  variously  difpofed,  and  form  many 
Poems.  How  might  fuch  Performances,  under  a  Di- 
vine Blefling,  call  back  the  dying  Piety  of  the  Nation 
to  Life  and  Beauty  ?  This  would  make  Religion  ap- 
pear like  itfelf,  and  confound  the  Blafphemies  of  a 
profligate  World,  ignorant  of  pious  Pleafures. 

But  we  have  Reafon  to  fear,  that  the  tuneful  Men 
of  our  Day  have  not  railed  their  Ambition  to  fo  divine 
a  Pitch ;  I  fhould  rejoice  to  fee  more  of  this  Celeftial 
Fire  kindling  within  them  ;  for  the  Flafhes  that  break 
out  in  fome  prefent  and  paft  Writings,  betray  an  in- 
fernal Source.  This  the  incomparible  Mr.  Cowley, 
in  the  latter  End  of  his  Preface,  and  the  ingenious  Sir 
Richard  Blackmore,  in  the  Beginning  of  his, 
haveTo  pathetically  defcribed  and  lamented,  that  I  ra- 
ther refer  the  Reader  to  mourn  with  them,  than  detain 
and  tire  him  here.  Thtie  Gentlemen,  in  their  Wge 
and  laboured  Works  of  Poefy,  have  given  the  World 
happy  Examples  of  what  they  wifh  and  encourage  in 
Profe  ;  the  One  in  a  rich  Variety  of  Thought  and 
Fancy,  the  other  in  all  the  mining  Colours  of  pro- 
fufe  and  florid  Dicfion. 

If  fhorter  Sonnets  were  compofed  on  fublime  Sub- 
jects, fuch  as  the  Pfalms  of  David,  and  the  holy 
Tranfports  interfperfed  in  the  other  Sacred  Writings, 
or  fuch  as  the  moral  Odes  of  Horace,  and  the  an- 
tient  Lyricks;  I  perfuade  myfelf,  that  the  Chrijlian. 
Preacher  would  find  abundant  Aid  from  the  Poet,  in 
his  Defign  to  diffufe  Virtue,- and  allure  Souls  to  GOD* 
If  the  Heart  was  nxft.  inflamed  from  Heaven,  and  the 
Mufe  were  not  left  alone  to  form  the  Devotion,  and^ 
purfue  a  cold  Scent,  but  only  called  in  as  an  AfMant 
to  tjie  Worihip,  then  the  Song  would  end  where  the 
Infpiration  ceafes  ;  the  whole  Compofure  would  be  of 
a  Piece,  all  meridian  Light  and  meridian  Fervour; 
and  the  fame  pious  Flame  would  be  propagated,  and 
kept  glowing  in  the  Heart  of  him  that  reads.  Some 
of  the  fhorter  Odes  of  the  two  Poets  now  mentioned, 

and 


xvi  The'  P  R  E  F  AC  E. 

and  a  few  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Norris's  EUavs  in 
Verfe,  are  convincing  Inftances  of  the  Succefs  of  this 
Propoial. 

It  is  my  Opinion  alfo,  that  the  free  and  unconfined 
Numbers  of  Pindar,  or  the  noble  Meafu res  of 
Milton  without  Rhime,  would  belt  maintain  the 
Dignity  of  the  Theme,  as  well  2s  give  a  Loofe  to  the 
devout  Soul,  nor  check  the  Raptures  of  her  Faith  and 
Love.  Though  in  my  feeble  Attempts  of  this  kind, 
I  have  too  often  fettered  my  Thoughts  in  the  narrow 
•  Metre  of  our  Pfalm-Tran/lators  ;  I  have  contracted 
and  cramped  the  Senfe,  or  rendered  it  obfcwre  and 
feeble,  by  the  too  fpeedy  and  regular  Returns  of 
Rhime. 

If  my  Friends  expect  any  Reafon  of  the  following 
Compofures,  and  of  the  firft  or  fecond  Publication,  X 
entreat  them  to  accept  of  this  Account. 

The  Title  afTures  them  that  Poefy  is  not  the  Bufi- 
nefs  of  my  Life  ;  and  if  I  ftized  thofc  Hours  of  Lie- 
fure,  wherein  my  Soul  was  in  a  more  fprightly  Frame, 
to  entertain  them  or  my  kK  with  a  Divine  or  Moral 
Song,  I  hope  I  mail  find  an  eafy  Pardon. 

In  the  Firfi  Book  are  many  Odes  which  were  writ- 
ten to  affift  the  Meditations  and  Worfhip  of  vulgar 
Christians,  and  with  a  Defign  to  be  publimed  in  the 
Volume  of  Hymns i  which  h^ve  now  pafTed  a  Second 
ImprefTion  ;  but  upon  the  Review,  I  found  feme  Ex- 
prciTions  that  were  not  fuited  to  the  plaincft  Capacity, 
and  the  Metaphors  are  too  bold  to  pleafe  the  weaker 
Chriftianr  therefore  1  have  allotted  them  a  Place  here 

Amongst  thefe  Songs  that  are  dedicated  to  Divine 
Lovey  I  think  I  may  be  bold  to  afTert,  that  I  never 
compofed  one  Line  of  them  with  any  other  Defign 
than  what  they  are  applied  to  here  ;  and  I  have  endea- 
voured to  fecure  them  all  from  being  perverted  and 
debafed  to  wanton  PaiTions,  by  feveral  Lines  in  them 
that  can  never  be  applied  to  a  meaner  Love.  Are 
not  the  nobleft  Inftances  of  the  Grace  of  Chrift  re- 
prefented  under  the  Figure  of  a  Conjugal  State,  and 

defcribed 


The    PREFACE.  xvii 

defcribedin  one  of  the  fv/eeteft  Odes,  and  the  fofteftPa- 
ftoral  that  ever  was  written  ?  I  appeal  to  Solomon*, 
in  his  Song,  and  his  Father  David,  in  Pfal.  xlv.  if 
David  was  the  Author :  And  I  am  well  allured, 
that  I  have  never  indulged  an  equal  Licence  :  It  was 
dangerous  to  imitate  the  Sacred  Writers  too  nearly,  in 
fo  nice  an  Affair. 

The  Poems  /acred  to  Virtue,  &c.  were  formed  wherr 
the  Frame  and  Humour  of  my  Soul  was  juir.  fuited 
to  the  Subject  of  my  Verfe  :  The  Image  of  my  Heart 
is  painted  in  them  ;  and  if  they  meet  with  a  Reader 
whofe  Soul  is  akin  to  mine,  perhaps  they  may  agree- 
bly  entertain  him.  The  Dulnefs  of  the  Fancy,  and 
Coarfenefs  of  Exprefiion,  will  difappear  ;  the  Same- 
nefs  of  the  Humour  will  create  a  Pleafure,  and  in  fen- 
fib]  y  overcome  and  conceal  the  Defects  of  the  Mufe. 
Young  Gentlemen  and  Ladies,  whofe  Genius  and  E- 
ducation  have  given  therh  a  Relifh  of  Oratory  and 
Verfe,  may  be  tempted  to  feek  Satisfaction  among  the 
dangerous  Diverfions  of  the  Stage,  and  impure  Son- 
nets, if  there  be  no  Proviiion  of  a  fafer  kind  made  to 
pleafe  them.  While  I  have  attempted  to  gratify  inno- 
cent Fancy  in  this  refpecl,  I  have  not  forgotten  to  al- 
lure the  Heart  to  Virtue,  and  to  raife  it  to  a  Difdain 
of  brutal  Pleafures.  The  frequent  Interpofition  of  a 
devout  Thought  may  awaken  the  Mind  to  a  ferious 
Senfe  of  GOD,  Religion,  and  Eternity.  The  fame 
Duty  that  might  be  defpifed  in  a  Sermon,  when  pro* 
pofed  to  their  Reafon,  may  here,  perhaps,  feize  the 
lower  Faculties  with  Surprize,  Delight,  and  Devoti- 
on at  once  ;  and  thus,  by  Degrees,  draw  the  fuperi- 
or  Powers  of  the  Mind  to  Piety.'  Amongft  the  infl-. 
nice  Numbers  of  Mankind,  there  is  not  more  Differ- 
ence in  their  outward  Shape  and  Features,  than  in 
their  Temper  and  inward  Inclination.  Some  are  more 
eafily  fufceptive  of  Religion  in  a  grave  Difcourfe  and 

fed  ate 

*  Solnmotii  Sotrg  was  much  more  in  Ufe  among  Preachers 
and  -Writers  of  Divinity  when  thefe  Poems  were  written 
tjian  it  is  flow.    1736, 


xvrii  The     P  P.  E  F  A  C  E. 

fed  ate  Reafoning.  Some  are  beft  frighted  from  Sin 
and  Ruin  by  Terror,  Threatning  and  Amazement ; 
their  Fear  is  the  propereft  Paflion  to  which  we  can 
addrefs  ourfelves,  and  begin  the  Divine  Work  :  Ou- 
tliers can  feel  no  Motive  fo  powerful  as  that  which 
applies  itfelf  to  their  Ingenuity,  and  their  polifh'd  I- 
magination.  Now  I  thought  it  lawful  to  take  hold  of 
any  Handle  of  the  Soul,  to  lead  it  away  betimes  from 
vicious  Pleafures  ;  and  if  I  could  but  make  up  aCom- 
pofition  of  Virtue  and  Delight,  fuited  to  the  Tafte  of 
well  bred  Youth,  and  a  refin'd- Education,  I  had  fome 
Hope  to  allure  and  raife  them  thereby  above  the  vile 
Temptations  of  degenerate  Nature,  and  Cuftom,  that 
is  yet  more  degenerate.  When  I  have  felt  a  flight  In- 
clination to  Satyr  or  Burlefque,  I  thought  it  proper  to 
fupprefs  it.  The  grinning  and  the  growling  Mufe  are 
not  hard  to  be  obtained  j  but  I  would  difdain  their 
Afliftance,  where  a  manly  Invitation  to  Virtue,  and 
a  friendly  Smile  may  be  fuccefsfully  employ'd.  Could 
I  perfuade  any  Man  by  a  kinder  Method,  I  fhould 
never  think  it  proper  to  fcold  or  laugh  at  him. 

Perhaps  there  are  fome  morofe  Readers,  that 
ftand  ready  to  condemn  every  Line  that's  written  upon 
the  Theme  of  Love ;  but  have  we  not  the  Cares  and: 
the  Felicities  of  that  fort  of  foci al  Life  reprefented  to 
us  in  the  facred  Writings  ?  Some  Expreffions  are 
there  ufed  with  a  Defign  to  give  a  mortifying  Influ- 
ence to  our  fofteft  Affections  j  others  again  brighten: 
the  Character  of  that  State,'  and  allure  virtuous  Souls 
to  purfue  the  divine  Advantage  of  it,  the  mutual  Af- 
firmance in  the  way  to  Salvation.  Are  not  the  cxxviith 
and  cxxviiith  Pfalms  indited  on  this  very  fubjec~t.  ?  Shall 
it  be  lawful  for  the  Prefs  and  the  Pulpit  to  treat  of  it 
with  a  becoming  Solemnity  in  Profe,  and  mufl  the 
Mention  of  the  fame  thing  in  Poefy  be  pronounc'd 
for  ever  unlawful  ?  It  is  utterly  unworthy  of  a  ferious 
Character  to  write  on  this  Argument,  becaufe  it  has 
been  unhappily  polluted  by  fome  fcurrilous  Pens  ? 
Why  may  I  not  be  permitted  to  obviate  a  common 

and 


Tbf     r>  «  r.   f  A  C  E.  x\x 

and  a  growing  Mifchief,  while  a  thoufand  vile  Poems 
of  the  amorous  kind  fwarm  abroad,  and  give  a  vicious 
Taint  to  the  unwary  Reader  ?  I  would  tell  the  World 
that  I  have  endeavoured  to  recover  this  Argument  out 
of  the  Hands  of  impure  Writers,  and  to  make  it  ap- 
pear, that  Virtue  and  Love  are  not  fuch  Strangers  as 
they  are  reprefented.  The  blifsful  Intimacy  of  Souls 
in  that  State  will  afford  fufficient  Furniture  for  the 
gravel)  Entertainment  m  Verfe  ;  fo  that  it  need  not 
be  everlaftingly  drefs'd  up  in  Ridicule,  nor  afTumed 
only  to  furnifh  out  the  lewd  Sonnets  of  the  Times, 
May  fome  happier  Genius  promote  the  fame  Service 
that  I  propos'd,  and  by  fuperior  Senfe,  and  fweeter 
Sound,  render  what  I  have  written  contemptible  and 
ufelefs. 

The  Imitations  of  that  nobleft.  Latin  Poet  of  mo- 
dern Ages,  Gasimire  Sarbiewski  of  Poland, 
would  need  no  Exeufe,  did  they  but  arife  to  the  Beau- 
ty, of  the  Original.  I  have  often  taken  the  Freedom 
to  add  ten  or  twenty  Lines,  or  to  leave  out  as  many, 
that  I  might  fuit  my  Song  more  to  my  own  Defign, 
or  becaufe  I  faw  it  impoffible  to  prefent  the  Force,  the 
Finenefs,  and  the  Fire  of  his  Expreflion  in  our  Lan- 
guage. There  are  a  few  Copies  wherein  I  borrow'd 
fome  Hints  from  the  fame  Author,  without  the  Men- 
tion of  his  Name  in  the  Title.  Methinks  I  can  al- 
low fo  fuperior  a  Genius  now  and  then  to  be  lavifh  in 
his  Imagination,  and  to  indulge  fome  Excurfions  be- 
yond the  Limits  of  fedate  Judgment :  The  Riches 
and  Glory  of  his  Verfe  make.  Atonement  in  abundance. 
I  wifh  fome  Englijh  Pen  would  import  more  of  his^ 
Treafures,  and  blefs  our  Nation. 

The  Infcriptions  to  particular  Friends,  are  war- 
ranted and  defended  by  the  Practice  of  almoft  all  the 
Lyric  Writers.  They  frequently  convey  the  rigid 
Rules  of  Morality  to  the  Mind  in  the  fofter  Method 
of  Applaufe.  Suftain'd  by  their  Example,  a  Man  will 
not  ealily  be  overwhelmed  with  the  heavieil  Cenfures 
oi  the  unthinking  and  unknowing;  efpecially  when 

there 


XX  The     r   xx.  jd  j*   4  Q  E. 

there  is  a  Shadow  of  this  Practice  in  the  Divine  TJed~ 
mijl^  while  he  inferibes  to  Asaph  or  Jeduthun  his 
Songs  that  were  made  for  the  Harp,  or  (which  is  all 
one)  his  Lyric  Odes,  tho'  they  are  addreiled  to  GOD 
himfelf. 

In  the  Poems  of  Heroic  Meafure,  I  have  attempted 
in  Rhime  the  lame  Variety  of  Cadence,  Comma  and 
Period,  which  blank  Verfe  glories  in  as  its  peculiar 
Elegance  and  Ornament.  It  degrades  the  Excellency 
of  the  beft  Verification  when  the  Lines  run  on  by 
Couplets,  twenty  together,  juft  in  the  fame  Place,  and 
with  the  fame  Paufes.  It  fpoils  the  nobleft  Pleafure 
of  the  Sound  :  The  Reader  is  tired  with  the  tedious 
Uniformity,  or  charm'd  to  deep  with  the  unmanly 
Softnefs  of  the  Numbers,  and  the  perpetual  Chime  of 
even  Cadences. 

In  the  EJjays  without  Rhime,  I  have  not  fet  up 
Mil  ton  for  a  perfect  Pattern ;  tho'  he  fliall  be  for 
ever  honour'd  as  our  Deliverer  from  the  Bondage 
His  Works  contain  admirable  and  unequall'd  Inftances 
of  bright  and  beautiful  Diction,  as  well  as  Majefty 
and  Serenenefs  of  Thought.     There  are  feveral  Epi- 
fodes  in  his  longer  Works,  that  {land  in  fupreme  Dig- 
nity without  a  Rival ;  yet  all  that  vaft  ReverenceVith. 
which  I  read  his  Paradife  L'jly  cannot  perfuade  me 
to  be  charm'd  with  every  Page  of  it.     The  length  of 
his  Periods,  and   fometimes  of  his  Parenthefes,  runs, 
me  out  of  Breath  :    Some  of  his  Numbers  feem  toor 
harm  and  uneafy.     I  could  never  believe  that  Rough- 
nefs  and  Obfcurity  added  any  thing  to  the  true  Gran- 
deur of  a  Poem :  Nor  will  I  ever  afFect  Archaifms* 
Exoticifms,  and  a  quaint  Uncouthnefs  of  Speech,   in 
order  to  become   perfectly  Miltonian.     'Tis  my  Opi- 
nion that  Blank  Verfe  may  be  written  with  all  due 
Elevation  of  Thought  in  a  modern  Siile,  without  bor- 
rowing any  thing  from  Chaucer's  Tales,  or  run- 
ning back  fo  far  as  the  Days  of  Colin   the  Shepherd^ 
and  the  Reign  of  the  Fairy  £hteen.     The  Odnefs  ex 
an  antique  bound  gives  but  a  falfe  Pleafure  to  the 

Ear, 


The    P  R  E  F  A  C  E.  xxi 

Ear,  and  abufes  the  true  Relifh,  even  when  it  works 
Delight.  There  were  fome  fuch  Judges  of  Poefy  a- 
mong  the  old  Romans,  and  Martial  ingenioufly 
laughs  at  one  of  them,  that  was  pleafed  even  to  Aflo- 
nifhment  with  obfolete  Words  and  Figures. 

Ationitufque  legis  terrai  fruglferaL 

So  the  ill-drawn  Poftures  and  Distortions  of  Shape 
that  we  meet  with  in  Chinefe  Pictures  charm  a  fickly 
Fancy  by  their  very  Aukwardnefs  ;  fo  a  diftemper'd 
Appetite  will  chew  Coals  and  Sand,  and  pronounce  it 
guftful. 

In  ,the  Pindarics  I  have  generally  conform'd  my 
Lines  to  the  fhorter  Size  of  the  Antients,  and  avoid- 
ed to  imitate  the  exceflive  Lengths  to  which  fome  mo- 
dern Writers  have  ftretch'd  their  Sentences,  and  efpe- 
cially  the  concluding  Verfe.  In  thefe  the  Ear  is  the 
trueft  Judge ;  nor  was  it  made  to  be  enflavcd  to  any 
precife  Model  of  elder  or  later  Times. 

After  all,  I  muft  petition  my  Reader  to  lay  afide 
the  four  and  fullen  Air  of  Criticifm,  and  to  aflume 
the  Friend.  Let  him  chufe  fuch  Copies  to  read  at 
particular  Hours,  when  the  Temper  of  his  Mind  is 
iuited  to  the  Song.  Let  him  come  with  a  Defire  to 
be  entertain'd  and  pleas'd,  rather  than  to  feek  his  own 
Difguft  and  Averfion,  which  will  not  be  hard  to  find.' 
I  am  not  fo  vain  as  to  think  there  are  no  Faults,  nor 
fo  blind  as  to  efpy  none  :  Tho'  I  hope  the  Multitude  of 
Alterations  in  this  Second  Edition  are  not  without 
Amendment.  There  is  fo  large  a  Difference  between 
this  and  the  former,  in  the  Change  of  Titles,  Lines, 
and  whole  Poems,  as  well  as  in  the  [various  Tranf- 
pofitions,  that 'twould  be  ufelefs  and  endlefs,  and  all 
Confufion,  for  any  Reader  to  compare  them  through- 
out. The  Additions  alfo  make  up  almoft  half  the 
Book,  and  fome  of  thefe  have  need  of  as  many  Alte- 
rations as  the  former.  Many  a  Line  needs  the  File  to 
polifh  the  Roughnefs  of  it,  and  many  a  Thought 
wants  richer  Language  to  adorn  and  make  it  fhine. 

Wide 


3ddi  n*    P  R  E  F  A  C  E. 

Wide  Defects  and  equal  Superfluities  may  be  found, 
efpecially  in  the  larger  Pieces  ;  but  I  have  at  prefent 
neither  Inclination  nor  Leifure  to  correct,  and  I  hope 
I  never  ill  all.  'Tis  one  of  the  biggeft  Satisfactions  I 
take  in  giving  this  Volume  to  the  World,  that  I  ex- 
pect, to  be  for  ever  free  from  the  Temptation  of  mak- 
ing or  mending  Poems  again*.  So  that  my  Friends 
may  be  perfectly  fecure  againft  this  Impreilion's  grow- 
ing wafte  upon  their  Hands,  and  ufelefs  as  the  former 
has  done.  Let  Minds  that  are  better  furnifhed  for 
fuch  Performances  purfue  thefe  Studies,  if  they  are 
convinced  that  Poefy  can  be  made  ferviceable  to  Reli- 
gion, and  Virtue.  As  for  my  felf,  I  almofl:  blufh  to 
think  that  I  have  read  fo  little,  and  written  fo  much. 
The  following  Years  of  my  Life  fhall  be  more  entire- 
ly devoted  to  the  immediate  and  direct  Labours  of  my 
Station,  excepting  thofe  Hours  that  may  be  employ'd 
in  finifhing  my  Imitation  of  the  Pfalms  of  David,  in 
Chriftian  Language,  which  I  have  now  promis'd  the 
World||. 

I  cannot  court  the  World  to  purchafe  this  Book  for 
their  Pleafure  or  Entertainment,  by  telling  'em  that 
any  one  Copy  entirely  pleafes  me.  The  beft  of  them 
finks  below  the  Idea  which  I  form  of  a  Divine  or 
Moral  Ode.  He  that  deals  in  the  Myfteries  of  Hea- 
ven, or  of  the  Mufes,  mould  be  a  Genius  of  no  vulgar 
Mould  :  And  as  the  Name  Votes  belongs  to  both  ; 
fo  the  Furniture  of  both  is  compris'd  in  that  Line  of 
Horace, 

Cm  Mens  Divinior^  atque  Os 

Magna  Sonaturum 

But  what  Juvenal  fpake  in  his  Age,  abides  true 
in  ours  :  A  complete  Poet  or  a  Prophet  is  fuch  a  one  ; 

— ^alem 

*  Naiuram  expellas  furca  licet,  ufque  recur ret,  Hor. 

Will  this  fhort  Note  of  Horace  excule  a  Man  who  has  refilled 
Nature  many  Years,  but  has  been  fometimes  overcome  ? 
3736.     Edition  the  7th. 

!j  In  the  year  T719  thefe  were  finifhed  and  printed. 


The    PREFACE.  xxiii 

—  6)uale7n  nequeo  monflrare^  &  feniio  iantim. 

Perhaps  neither  of  thefe  Characters  in  Perfe&ion 
fhall  ever  be  feen  on  Earth,  till  the  feventh  Angel  has 
founded  his  awful  Trumpet ;  till  the  Victory  be  com- 
plete over  the  Beaft  and  his  Image,  when  the  Natives 
of  Heaven  mail  join  in  Confort  with  Prophets  and 
Saints,  and  fing  to  their  golden  Harps  Salvation* 
H&nour  and  Glory  to  him  that  fits  upon  the  Throne^  and 
to  the  Lamb  for  ever* 

May  14,  1709. 


On 


On    Reading 

Mr.  WATTS's  Poems 

Sacred    to 

Piety  and  Devotion. 


JDEgard  the  Man  voho  in  Seraphic  Lays, 

And 'flowing  Numbers,  Jings  his  Makers  Praife  : 
He  needs  invoke  no  fabled  Mufe's  Art, 
1 'he  heavenly  Song  comes  genuine  from  his  Heart, 
From  that  pure  Heart,  which  GOD  has  deign' 'd  t1  infpiri 
With  holy  Raptures,  and  a  facred  Fire. 
Thrice  happy  Man  !  whofe  Soul,  and  guitlefs  Breaft, 
Are  well  prepared  to  lodge  th*  Almighty  Guejl  ! 
'Tis  HE  that  lends  thy  towering  Thoughts  their  Wing, 
And  tunes  thy  Lyre,  when  thou  attempt* ft  to  fing  : 
HE  to  thy  Soul  lets  in  celejlial  Day, 
Ev'n  wbilft  impriforid  in  this  mortal  Clay. 
By  Death's  grhn  Afpecl  thou  art  not  alarm' d, 
HE,  for  thy  Sake,  has  Death  itfelf  di/arm'd', 
Nor  /hall  the  Gr  ive  o'er  thee  a  Vicfry  boaft ; 
Her  Triumph  in  th/  Riflng  pall  be  loft, 
When  thou  Jhalt  join  th>  angelic  Choirs  above, 
In  never-ending  Songs  of  Praife  and  Love. 

ElJSEBIA, 


HORM 


HORjE    LTRICjE. 


BOOK    I. 

Sacred  to   Devotion  and  PiETy. 

--*  #*###*###  *  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  4ir 

Worjhipping  with  Fear, 

I. 

"F"MM^  H  °  dapes  attempt  tn'  Eternal  Name, 
^  ^       With  Notes  of  mortal  Sound  ? 

%  0  -^angers  aRd  Gl°^es  guard  the  Theme* 

"u  WW  ^       ^-nd  fpread  Defpair  around. 

Deflruction  waits  t'o'bey  his  Frown, 

And  Heaven  attends  his  Smile  ; 
A  Wreath  of  Lightning  arms  his  Crown> 
But  Love  adorns  it  Hill. 

III. 
Celeftial  King,  our  Spirits  lie, 
Trembling  beneath  thy  Feet, 
And  wifh,  and  call  a  longing  Eye, 
To  reach  thy  lof.y  Seat. 

IV. 
When  mall  we  fee  the  Great  Unknown, 

And  in  thy  Prefence  tfand  ? 
Repeal  the  Splendors  of  thy  Throne, 
But  fhield  us  with  thy  Hand. 
V. 
In  thee  what  endlefs  Wonders  meet ! 
What  various  Glory  mines ! 

3  The 


2  L  V  R  I  C    P  0  E  M  S,        Book  I. 

The  croffings  JUrs  too  fiercely  beat 

Upon  our  fainting  Minds. 

VI. 
Angels  are  loft  in  fweet  Surprize 

If  thou  unvaii  thy  Grace  ; 
And  humble  Awe  runs  thro*  the  Skies, 

When  Wrath  arrays  thy  Pace. 
'  VII. 
^yhen  Mercy  joins  with  Majefty 

To  fpread  their  Beams  abroad, 
Not  all  their  fairell  Minds  on  high 

Are  Shadows  of  a  God. 

VIII. 
The  Works  the  flrongefl  Seraph  fings 

In  a  too  feeble  Strain,  * 

^nd  labours  hard  on  all  his  Strings 

To  reach  thy  Thoughts  in  vain. 
IX. 
Created  Powers,  how  weak  they  be  I 

How  fhort  our  Praifes  fall  ! 
So  much  akin  to  Nothing  We, 

And  thou.th'  Eternal  All. 

%  f  *  <*  *  *  p  *  #  *  $ '*  *  4  *  .  $  *  £  *  £  f 

AJk'ing  Leave  to  fing, 

I. 

YET,  mighty  GOD,  indulge  my  Tongue, 
Nor  let  thy  Thunders  roar, 
Whilft  the  young  Notes  and  vent'rous  Song 
To  Worlds  of  Glory  foar. 
II. 
If  thou  my  daring  Flight  forbid 

The  Mufe  folds  up  her  Wings  ? 
Or  at  thy  Word  her  fiend er  Reed 
Attempts  Almighty  Things. 

Her  flender  Reed  infpir'd  by  Thee 

Bids  a  new  Eden  grow, 
With  hlooming  Li.ce  .on  every  Tree, 

And  fprcadi  a  Iieav'n  below. 

IV. 


Sacred  1o  Devotion,  &c.  $ 

IV. 
She  mocks  the  Trumpet's  loud  Alarms 

Fili'd  with  thy  dreadful  Breath  ; 
And  calls  th'  Angelick  Holts  to  Arms, 

To  eive  the  Nations  Death. 

V.  ! 

But  when  fhe  taftes  her  Saviour's  Love, 

And  feels  the  Rapture  ftrong, 
Scarce  the  diviner  Harp  above 

Aims  at  a  fweeter  Song. 

-#********  ************ 

Divine   Judgment, 

I. 

NOT  from  the  Daft  my  Sorrows  fpring, 
Nor  drop  my  Comforts  from  the  lower  Skies  i 
Let  all  the  baneful  Planets  llied 
Their  .mingled  Curies  on  my  Head, 
How  vain  their  Curfes,    if  th'  Eternal  King 
Look  thro'  the  Clouds  and  blefs  me  with  his  Eyes. 
Creatures  with  all  their  boafted  Sway 
Are  but  his  Slaves,  and  mull  obey  ; 
They  wait  their  Orders  from  above, 
And  execute  his  Word,  the  Vengeance,  or  the  Love. 
II. 
'Tis  by  a  Warrant  from  his  Hand 
The  gentler  Gales  are  bound  to  fieep  : 
The  North  Wind  Mutters,  and  aflumes  Command  J 

Over  the  Defert  and  the  Deep  j  ;* 

Old  Boreas  with  his  freezing  Pov/'rs 
Turns  the  Earth  Iron,  makes  the  Ocean  Glafs,  § 

Arrefts  the.  dancing  Riv'lets  as  they  pafs, 

And  chains  them  movelefs  to  their  Shores; 
The  grazing  Ox  lows  to  the  gelid  Skies, 
Walks  o'er  the  marble  Mead3  with  withering  Eyes, 
Walks  o'er  the  folid  Lakes,  muffs  up  the  Wind,  and  dks* 
III. 
Fly  to  the  Polar  World,  my  Song, 
And  mourn  the  Pilgrims  there,   (a  wretched  Throng  !) 

Seiz'd  and  bound  in  rigid  Chains, 
A  Troop  of  Statues  on  the  Ruffian  Plains, 
And  Life  Hands  frozen  in  the  Purple  Veins. 

B  t  AtheifC. 


4  L  r  R  I  C    P  0  E  M  S.        Book  1. 

Atheift,  forbear  ;  no  more  blafpheme  : 
God  has  a  ihoufand  Terrors  in  his  Name, 
A  ihoufand  Armies. at  Command, 
Waiting  die  Signal  of  his  Hand, 
And  Magazines  of  Froir,  and  Magazines  of  Flame, 
Drefs  thee  in  Steel  to  meet  his  Wrath  ; 
His  fiiarp  Artillery  from  the  North 
Shall  pierce  thee  to  the  Soul,  and  make  thy  mortal  Frame. 
Sublime  on  Winter's  rugged  Wings 
He  rides  in  Arms  along  the  Sky, 
And  fcatters  Fate  on  Swains  and  Kings  : 

And  Flocks  and  Herds,  and  Nations  die ; 
While  impious  Lips,  profanely  bold, 
.,Grow  pale;  and,  quivering  at  his  dreadful  Cold, 
Give  their  own  Blafphernies  the  Lie. 

IV. 
The  Mifchiefs  that  infeft  the  Earth, 
When  the  >ct  Dog-ilar  fires  the  Realms  on  high* 

Drought  and  Difeafe,  and  cruel  Dearth, 
Are  but  the  Fiaihes  of  a  wrathful  Eye 
From  the  incens'd  Divinity. 
In  vain  our  parching  Palates  thirfl 
^For  vital  Food  in  vain  we  cry, 

And  pant  for  vital  Breath  ; 
The  verdant  Fields  are  burnt  to  Dud", 
The  Sun  has  drunk  the  Channels  dry, 

And  all  the  Air  is  Death, 
Ye  Scourges  of  our  Maker's   Rod, 
9Tis  at  his  dread  Command,  at  his  imperial  Nod 
You  deal  your  various  Plagues   abroad. 

V. 
Hail,  Whir] winds,  Hurricanes  and  Floods 
That  all  the  leafy  Standards  ftrip, 
And  bear  down  with  a  mighty  Sweep 
The  Riches  of  the  Fields,  and  Honours  of  the  Woods ; 
Storms,  that  ravage  o'er  the  Deep, 
And  bury  Millions  in  the  Waves ; 

Earthquakes, -that  in  Midnight-Sleep 
Tu.-n  Cities  into  Heap?,  and  make  our  Eeds  our  Graves ; 

While  you  difpenfe  you  mortal  Harms, 
JTis  the  Creator's  Voice  that  founds  your  loud  Alarms, 
When  Guilt  with  louder  Cries  provokes  3  Go js  to  Arms. 

VI. 


Sacred  to  Devotion* -  &c.  £ 

VI, 

0  for  a  Mefiage  from  above 
To  bear  my  Spirits  up  ! 

Some  Pledge  of  my  Creator'?  Love 
To  calm  my  Terrors  and  fupport  my  Hope  ! 

Let  Waves  and  Thunders  mix  and  roar, 
Be  thou  my  God,  and  the  whole  World  is  mine : 
While  thou  art  Sov'reign,  I'm  fecure  ; 

1  fhall  be  rich  till  thou  art  poor  •  (thine. 
For  all  I  fear>  and  all  I  vvifh,  Heav'n,  Earth  and  Hell  are 

Earth  and  Hcav.m,- 

£ 

"AST  thou  not  feen,  impatient  Boy  f     |? 
Haft  thou  not  read  the  folemn  Truth, 
That  grey  Experience  writes  for  giddy  Yoa^h 
On  every  mortal  joy  ? 
P leaf ure  mufi  be  dajb'd  <zvitb  Pain  :■ 
And  yet  with  heedlefs  Haile, 
The  thirfty  Boy  repeats  the  Tafre, 
Nor  hearkens  to  Defpair,  but  tries  the.  Bowl  again, 
The  Rills  of  Fleafure  never  run  iincere  ; 
(Earth  has  no  unpolluted  Spring)    • 
From  the  curs7d  Soil  fome  dang'rous  Taint  they  bear ; 
So  Rofes  grow  on  Thorns,,  and  Honey  wears  a  Sting. 

II. 
In  vain  we  feek  a  Heaven  below  the  Sky  ; 

The  World  has  falfe>  but  fktt'ring  Charms  -, 
Its  diilant  Joys  ihow  big  in  our  Efleem, 
But  leffen  frill  as  they  drawn  near  the  Eye ; 
In  our  Embrace  the  Viiions  die, 
And  when  we  grafp  the  airy  Forms 
We  iofe  the  pleafmg  Dre^m* 
III.  j 
Earth,  with  her  Scenes  of  ga*/  Delight, 
Is  but  a  Land/kip  rudely  drawn, 
With  glaring  Colours,  and  falfe  Light; 
Diitance  commends  it  to  the  Sight, 
For  Fools  to  gaze  upon  ; 

%  3  But 


6  LYRIC    POEM  6\         Book  L 

But  bring  the  nanfecus  Daubing  nigh, 
Coarfe  and  confus'd  the  hideous  Figures  lie, 
Diilblve  the  Pleafure,  and  offend  the  Eye. 

IV. 
Look  up,  my  Soul,  pant  tow'rd  th'  Eternal  Hills; 

Thofe  Heav'ns  are  fairer  than  they  feem  ; 
There  Pleafures  all  fincere  glide  on  in  Chryflial  Rills, 

There  not  a  Dreg  of  guile  defiles, 

Nor  Grief  diilurbs  the  Stream. 

That  Canaan  knows  no  noxious  Thing, 

No  curs'd  Soil,  no  tainted  Spring, 
Nor  Ro&s  grow  on  Thorns,  nor  Honey  wears  a  Sting. 

Felicity  above,, 

I. 

NO,  'tis  in  vain  to  feek  for  Blifs ; 
For  Blifs  can  ne'er  be  found 
'Till  we  arrive  whore  Jesus   if, 
And  tread  on  heav'nly  Ground. 
II. 
There's-  nothing  round  thefe  painted  Skies, 

Or  round  this  dufty  Clod  ; 
•Nothing,  my  Soul,  that's  worth  thy  Joys, 
Or  lovely  as  thy  God. 

III.. 
'Tis  Heav'n  on  Earth  to  tarte  his  Love, 

To  feel  his  quickning  Grace  ; 
And  all  die  Heav'n  I  hope  above 
Is  but  to  fee  his  Face. 

IV. 
V>  hy  move  my  Years  in  flow  Delay  ? 

O  God  of  Ages!  why  ? 
Let  the  Spheres  cleave,  and  mark  my  Way 
To  the  fuperior  Sky. 

Dear  Sov'reign,  break  thefe  vital  Strings 

That  bind  me  to  my  Clay ; 
Take  me,  Uriel,  on  thy  Wings, 

Afld  fl retch  and  four  away. 

God's 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &C.  J 

God's  Dominion  and  Decrees* 

1. 

KEEP  Silence-,  all  created  Things, 
And  wait  your  Maker's  Nod  : 
The  Mufe   flands  trembling  while  Hie  iings 
The  Honours  of  her  God. 
H. 
Life,  Death,  and  Hell?*  and  Worlds  a-nkaowa 

Hang  on  his  firm  Decree  : 
Ke  fits  on  no  precarious  Throne,- 
Nor  borrows  Leave  to  Be. 
ill. 
'Th'  Almighty  Voice  bid  ancient  Nigh? 

Her  endlefs  Realms  refign, 
And  lo,  ten  thoufand  Globes  of  Light 
In  Fields  of  Azure  mine. 

IV. 
Now  Wifdom  with  fuperisr  Sway 
Guides  the  vait  moving  Frame, 
Whilft-  all  the  Ranks  of  Beings  pay* 
Deep  Rev'rence  to  his  Name. 
V. 
He  fpafee  :  the  Sun  obedient  Hood, 

And  held  the  failing  Day  : 
Old  Jordan  backward  drives  his  Flood, 
And  difap points  the  Sea. 

VI. 
£ord  of  the  Armies  of  the  Sky, 

He  marfhals  ail  the  Stars ; 
Red  Comets  lift    their  Banners  high;, 
And  wide  proclaim  his  Wars. 
VII. 
Chain'd  to  his  Throne  a  Volume  lies,  . 

With  all  the  Fates  of  Men, 
With  every  Angel's  Form  and  Size 
Drawn  by  th'  eternal  Pen. 

VIII. 
His  Providence  unfolds  the  Book, 
And  makes  his  Counfeis  fnine  : 

B  4  Eack 


8  LYRIC    POEM  Sr        Book  L 

Each  opening  Leaf,  and  every  Stroke*- 

Fulfils  feme  deep  Defign. 
JX. 
IJere  he  axalts  neglecled  Worms 

To  Scepters  and  a  Crown  ; 
.Anon  the  following  Page  he  turrit, 

And  treads  the  Monarch  down. 
X. 
Net  Gahriel  a&s  the  Reafon  why, 

Nor  God  the  Reafon  gives  ;   '.i^ 
Nor  dares  the  Favcurite-Angel  pry* 

Between  the  folded  Leaves. 
XI. 
My  God,  I  never  long'd  to  fce 

My  Fate  with  curious  Eyes, 
What  gloomy  Lines  are  writ  for  me, 

Or  what  bright  Scenes  lhall  rife. 
XII. 
7r  thy  fair  Book  of  Life  and  Grace 

rviay  I  but  nnd  my  Name, 
Recorded  in  feme  humble  Place 

Beneath  my  Lord  the  Lamb. 

Self-Conjecration. 

T 
J. 

IT  grieves  me,  Lord,  it  grieves  me  fore, 
That  I  have  liv'd  to  thee  no  more, 
And  wafted  half  my  Days ; 
Ivly  inwards  Pow'rs  mall  burn  and  Hame 
With  Zeal  and  Paffion  for  thy  Name.  (his  Praife. 

I  would  not  fpeak,  but  for  my  God,  nor  move,  but  to 
II. 
What  are  my  Eyes  but  Aids  to  fee 
The  Glories  of  the  Deity 

Inicrib'd  with  Beams  of  Light 
On  Flow'rs  and  Stars?   Lord,  IbeholcT 
The  mining  Azure,  Green  and  Gold  ; 
Cut  when  I  try  to  read  thy  Name,  a  Dimnefs  veils  my  Sight. 
III. 
Mine  Ears  are  rais'd  when  Virgil  fings- 
Sia'Iian  Swains,    or  Trojan  Kings, 

And  drink  the  Mufic  in  ; 

Why 


Why  mould  the  Trumpet's  brazen  Voice, 

Or  Oaten  Reed  awake  my  Joys, 
And  yet  my  Heart  fo  ftupid  lie  when  facred  Hymns  begin  f* 
IV. 
Change  me,   O  God  ;  my  Fleih  (hall  be 
An  Instrument  of  Song  to  thee, 
And  thou  the  Notes  infpire  ; 
My  Tongue  mall  keep  the  heav'nly  Chime, 
My  chearful  Pulfe  mall  beat  the  Time, 
And  iweet  Variety  of  Sound  fnall  in  thy  Praife  confpire,. 
V. 
The  deareft  Nerve  about  my  Heart, 
Should  it  refufe  to  bear  a  Part, 
With  my  melodious  Breath, 
I'd  tear  away  the  vital  Chord, 

A  bloody  Victim  to  my  Lord,  (in  Death. 

And  Jive  without  that  impious  String,  or  mew  my  Zeal 

The  Creator  and  Creatures, 

I. 

C"^OD  is  a  Name  my  Soul  adores, 
_J  Th'  Almighty  Three,  th'  Eternal  One  5 
Nature  and  Grace  with  all  their  Pow'rs, 
Confefs  the  Infinite  Unknown. 
II. 
From  thy  Great  Self  thy  Being  fprings  "y 
Thou  art  thy  own  Original, 
Made  up  of  uncreated  Things, 
And  Self-fufBcience  bears  them  all. 

III. 
Thy  Voice  produced  the  Seas  and  Spheres, 
Bid  the  Waves  roar,  and  Planets  mine ; 
But  nothing  like  thy  Self  appears, 
Thro'  all  thefe  fpacious  Works  of  thine, 

IV, 
Still  reftlefs  Nature  dies  and  grows ; 
From  Change  to  Change  the  Creatures  run ; 
Thy  Being  no  Succeffion  knows,    . 
And  all  thy  vail  Defmgs  are  one, 

B5  V. 


io  L  T  R  I  C    P  0  E  M<$s        Book  I, 

V. 

A  Glance  of  thine  runs  thro'  the  Globes, 
Rales  the  bright  World,  and  moves  their  Frame  ^ 
Broad  Sheets  of  Light  compofe  thy  Robes } 
Thy  Guards  are  forrn'd  of  living  Flame. 

VI. 
Thrones  and  Dominions  round  thee  fall, 
And  worfhip  in  fubmiffive  Forms; 
Thy  Prefence  makes  this  lower  Ball, 
This  little  Dwelling-place  of  Worms. 

VIL 
How  fhall  affrighted  Mortals  dare- 
To  fing  thy.  Glory  or  thy  Grace, 
Beneath  thy  Feet  we  lie  fo  far, 
And  fee  but  Shadows  of  thy  Face  ? 

VIII. 
Who  can  behold  the  blazing  Light  ? 
Who  can  approach  confuming  Flarse  ? 
None  but  thy  Wifdom  knows  thy  Might  f 
None  but  thy  Word  can  fpeak  thy   Name. 

The  Nativity  of  Christ. 

I. 

««  QHEPHERDS-   rejoice,  lift  up  your  Eye?, 

1^5  *'  ^d  fend  your  Fears  away; 
"  News  from  the  Region  of  the  Skies, 

"  Salvation's  born  To-day. 

jr. 

'•  jES  US,   the  God  whom  Angels  fear, 

4<  Comes  down  to  dwell  with  you; 
"  To  day  he  makes  his  Entrance  here, 
"  But  not  as  Monarchs  do. 
III. 
**  No  Gold,  nor  purple  fw addling  Bands, 

"  Nor  royal  mining  Things  : 
•*  A  Manger  for  his  Cradle  Hands, 
"  And  holds  the  King   of  Kings. 
IV.       s 
<c  Go,  Shepherds,  where  the  Infant  lies> 
44  And  fee  his  humble  Throne  j 

<«  With 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  II 

"  With  Tears  of  Joy  in  all  your  Eyes, 

"  Go  Shepherds,  kifs  the  Son." 
V. 
Thus  Gabriel  fang,  and  flrait  around 

The  heavenly  Armies  throng, 
They  tune  their  Harps  to  lofty  Sound, 

And  thus  conclude  the  Son?  : 

vis 

M  Glory  to  God  that  reigns  above, 

"  Let  Peace  furround  the  Earth  ;- 
"  Mortals  fhall  know  their  Maker's  Love, 

"  At  their  Redeemer's  Birth." 
VII. 
Lord  !  and  fhall  Angels  have  their  Songs*. 

And  Men  no  Tunes  to  raife  I 
O  may  we  lofe  thefe  ufelefs  Tongues 

W  hen  they  forget  to  praife  1 
VIII. 
Glory  to  God  that  reigns  above,. 

That  pitied  us  forlorn, 
We  join  to  fing  our  Maker's- Love, 

For  there's  a  Saviour  born. 

God  Glorious  and  Sinners  Saved, 

I. 

FATHER,  how  wide  thy  Glory  mines  ! 
How  high  thy  Wonders  rife  ! 
Known  thro'  the  Earth  by  thoufand  Signs, 
By  thoufand  thro'  the  Skies. 
II. 
Thofe  mighty  Orbs  proclaim  thy  Power, 

Their  Motions  fpeaks  thy   Skill ; 
And  on  the  Wings  of  every  Hour,: 
We  read  thy  Patience  ftill. 
III. 
Part  of  thy  Name  divinely  (lands 

On  ail  thy  Creatures  writ, 
They  Ihew  the  Labour  of  thine  Hands^ 
Or  Imprefs  of  thy  Feet. 

B6  XV. 


12  LTRIG    POEMS,         Book  I. 

IV. 

But  when  we  view  thy  irrange  Defign 

To  fave  rebellious  Worms, 
Where  Vengeance  and  Companion  join 
la  their  divineft  Forms  ; 

V. 
Our  Thoughts  are  loll  in  reverend  Awe  i 

We  love  and  we  adore  ; 
The  firft  Arch-Angel  never  faw 
So  much  of  God  before. 
VI. 
Here  the  whole  Deity  is  known, 

Nor  dares  a  Creature  guefs 
Which  of  the  Glories  brighteil  lTione, 
The  juilice  or  the  Grace. 

VJI. 
When  Sinners  broke  the  Father's  Law?, 

The  dying  Son  ationes ; 
Oh  the  dear  Myiteries  of  his  Crofs  ! 
The  Triumph  of  his  Groans ! 
VIII. 
Now  the  full  Glories  of  the  Lamb 

Adorn  the  heavenly  Plains ; 
"Sweet  Cherub's  learn  bnnianuers  Name, 
And  try  their  choicer!  Strains, 
IX. 
O  may  I  bear  fame  humble  Part 

In  that  Iximf-rtal  Song  1 
Wonder  and  Joy  mail  tune  my  Heart, 
And  Love  command  my  Tongue. 

The  bumble  Enquiry.  . 

A  French  Sonnet  imitated.    1695. 
Grand  Dieu,  Us  Jvgemens,  &c. 

I. 

GRACE  rules  below,  and  fits  enthron'd  above, 
How  few  the  Sparks  of  Wrath  !  how  flow  they  move, 
And  drop  and   die  in  boundlefs  Seas- of  Love  ! 

H. 


Sacred  to-  Devotion,  &c.  13 

IL 

Bat  me,  vile  Wretch  !  mould" pitying  Love  embrace 
Deep  in  its  Ocean,  Hell  itfeff  would  blaze, 
And  flaih,  and  burn  me  thro'  the'boundleis  Seas, 

HI. 
Yea,  Lord,  my  Guilt  to  fuch  a  Vaftnefs  grown 
Seems  to  confine  thy  Choice  to  Wrath  alone, 
And  calls  thy  Power  to  vindicate  thy  Throne. 

IV. 
Thine  Honour  bids,  Avenge  thy  injured  Name, 
Thy  flighted  Loves  a  dreadful  Glory  claim, 
While  my  moid  Tears  might  but  incenfe  thy  Flame; 

V. 
Should  Heav'n  grow  black,   Almighty  Thunder  roar, 
And  Vengeance  blaft  me,  I  could  plead  no  more, 
But  own  thy  Juftice  dying,  and  adore. 

VI. 
Yet  can  thofe  Bolts  of  Death  that  cleave  the  I  li  od 
To  reach  a  Rebel,  pierce  this  facred  Shroud, 
Ting'd  in  the  vital  Stream  of  my  Redeemer's  Blood  f 

Tlie  Penitent  Pardoned, 

I. 

HENCE  from  my  Soul,  my  Sins  depart, 
Your  Fatal  Friendihip  now  I  iee; 
Long  have  you  dwelt  too  near  my  Heart, 
Hence,   to  eternal  Diftance  flee. 

II. 
Ye  gave  my  dying  Lord  his  Wound, 
Yet  1  carefs'd  your  viperous  Brood, 
And  in  my  Heart-firings  iapp'd  you  round, 
You,  the  vile  Murderers  of  my  God. 

III. 
Black  heavy  Thoughts,  like  Mountains,  roll 
O'er  my   poor  Rreali,  with  boding  Fears, 
And  crufhing  hard  my  tortured  Soul, 
Wring  thro'  my  Eyes  the  briny  Tears, 

IV. 
Forgive  my  Treafons,  Prince  of  Grace, 
The  bloody  Jews  were. Traitors  too, 

Yet 


,i4  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,        Book  I. 

Yet  thou  haft  pray'd  for  that  curs'd  Race, 
Father  they  know  not  what  they  do. 

V. 
Great  Advocate,  look  down  and  fee 
A  Wretch  whofe  fmarting  Sorrows  bleed  ; 

0  plead   the  fame  Excufe  for  me  1. 
For,  Lord,  I  knew  not  what  I  did. 

VI. 
Peace,  my  Complaints ;  Let  every  Groan 
Be  iiill,  and  Siknce  wait  his  Love  ; 
Companions  dwell  amidft  his  Throne, 
And  thro'  his  inmolt  Bowels  move. 

V1L 
Lo5.  from  the  everlafting  Skies, 
Gently,1  as  Morning-Dews  dHUl, 
The  Dove  Immortal  downward  flies, 
With  peaceful  Olive  in  his  Bill. 

VIII, 
How  fweet  the  Voice  of  Pardon  founds ! 
Sweet  the  Relief  to  deep  Diftrefs  ! 

1  feel  the  Balm  that  heals  my  Wounds, 
And  all  my  Pow'ri  adore  the  Grace. 

A  Hymn  of  Praife  for  three  great  Salvations. 
VIZ. 

1.  From  the  Spanifh  Invafion,  158S, 

2.  From  the  Gunpowder  Plot,  Nov.  5. 

3.  From  Popery  and  Slavery  by  K.  William  of' 
Glorious  Memory,  who  landed,  Nov.  5,   1688. 

Compofed,  Nov.  5,   1695. 

I. 

INFINITE  God,  thy  Counfels   (land 
Like  Mountains  of  Eternal  Brafs, 
Pillars    to  prop  our  finking  Land, 
Or  guardian  Rocks  to   break  the  Seas. 

II. 
From  Pole  to  Pole  thy  Name  is  known, 
Thee  a  whole  Heaven  of  Angels  praife  ? 

Out 


Sacrsd  to-  Devotion1,  &c.  15 

©ur  labouring  Tongues  would  reach  thy  Throne 
With  the  loud  Triumphs  of  thy  Grace.. 

HI*. 
Part  of  thy  Church,  by  thy  Command, 
Stands  rais'd  upon  the  Britijh  Ides  ; 
There  faid  the  Lord,  to  Ages  Jiand^ 
Firm  as  the  e<verlafting  Hills* 

IV. 
In  vain  the  Spanijh  Ocean  roar'd ; 
Its  Billows  fweli'd  againft  our  Shore,- 
Its  Billows  funk  beneath  thy  Word, 
With  all  the  floating  War  they  bore.. 

V. 
Come,  faid  the  Sens  of  bloody  Rome, 
Let  us  provide  new  Arms  from  Hell  : 
And  down  they  digg'd  thro*  Earth's  dark  Womb*, 
And  ranfack'd  all  the  burning  Cell. 

IV. 
Old  Satan  lent  them  fiery  Stores, 
Infernal  Coal,   and  fulph'rous  Flame, 
And  all  that  burns,  and  all  that  roars*. 
Outragious  Fires  of  dreadful  Name- 

fe  VII. 

Beneath  the  Senate  and  the  Throne,- 
Engines  of  Hellifli  Thunder  lay  ; 
There  the  dark  Seeds  of  Fire  were  fownB 
To  fpring  a  bright  but  difmal  Day. 

VIII. 
Thy  Love  beheld  the  black  Deiign, 
Thy  Love  that  guards  our  Iiland  round  j, 
Strange  !  how  it.  quench'd  the  fiery  Mine,. 
And  cruin'd  the  Tempefl  under  Ground. 

The  Second  Part* 

I. 

ASSUME,  my  Tongue,  a  nobler  Strainy 
Sing  the  new  Wonders  of  the  Lord  ; 
The  Foes  revive  their  Powr's  again, 
Again  they  die  beneath  his  Sword. 

II. 
Dark  as  our  Thoughts  our  Minutes  roll,. 
While  Tyiaany  poifefs'd  the  Throne,. 

And 


r6  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

And  Murderers  of  an  Irijb  Soul 

Ran,   threatning  Death,  thro'  everv  Town. 

111. 
The  Roman  Frieft  and  Britijh  Prince, 
joih'd  their  bell  Force,  and  blacked  Charms, 
And  the  fierce  Troops  of  neighbouring  France 
Oirer'd  the   Service  of  their  Arms. 

IV. 
*2Vi  done,  they  cry'd,  and  laugh'd  aloud, 
The  Coarts  of  Darknefs  rang  with  joy, 
Th'  old   Serpent  hifs'd,  and  Hell  grew  proud. 
While  Zion  mourn'd  her  Ruin  nigh. 

V.     ° 
But  lo,  the  great  Deliverer  fails 
Commifiion'd  from  Jehovah's  Hand, 
And  fmiling  Seas,  and  willing  Gales, 
Convey  him  to  the  longing  Land. 

VT. 
The  happy  Day,  and  happy  Year,-         \    N  ,g& 

Eoth  in  our  new  Salvation  meet :  J  '  *' 

The  Day  that  quench'd  the  burning  Snare,     >    AW.  £> 
The  Year  that  burnt  the  invading  Fleet,  \      1588. 

VII. 
Now  did  thine  Arm,  G  God  of  Holts, 
Now  did  thine  Arm  ihine  dazling  bright, 
The  Sons  of  Might  their  Hands  had  loit,- 
And  Men  of  Blood  forgot  to  fight. 

VIII. 
Brigades  of  Angels  lin'd  the  Way, 
And  guarded  W,illiam  to  his  Throne  ; 
There,  ye  celeltinl  Warriors,   flay, 
And  make  his  Palace  like  your  own. 

IX. 
Then,  mighty  God,    the  Earth  fhall  know 
And  learn  the  Worfhip  of  the  Sky  : 
Angels   and  Britons  join  below, 
To  raife  their  Halhlujahs  high. 

X. 
All  Hallelujah,  heavenly  King  : 
Whilft  diftant  Lands  thy  ViSory  fing, 
And  Tongues  their  utmoft  Powers  employ,, 
The  World's  bright  Roof  repeats  the  Joy. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  Sec.  fg£ 

*-*  #'  $  *  * •-*  *  *  ■•*  # %  #  *  *  *  *  '* "'*" ■*»"*•"" 

7^  InccmprehenJtbU,  - 

I. 

FAR  in  the  Heav'ns  my  God  retires, 
My  God,  the  Mark  of  my  Deiirea, 
And  hides  his  lovely  Face  ; 
When  he  defcends  within  my  View, 
He  charms  my  Reafon  to  purfue, 
But  leaves  it  tir'd  and  fainting  in  the  unequal  Cha(e»- 
II. 
Or  if  I  reach  unufal  Height 

Till  near  his  Prefencs   brought, 
There  Floods  of  Glory  check  my  Flight,  - 
Gramp  the  bold  Pinions  of  my  Wit, 

And  all  untune  my  Thought ; 
Plung'd  in  a  Sea -of  Light   I  roll, 
Where  Wifdom,  Juflice,  Mercy,  mines; 
Infinite  Rays  in  crpffing  Lines  (Soulv 

Beat  thick  Confuficn  on  my  Sight,  and  overwhelm  my 

IH- 
Come  to -my  Aid,  ye  Fellow- Minds, 

And  help  me  reach  the  Throne  : 

(What  fingle  Strength,  in  vain  deiigns, 

United  Force  hath  done  ; 

Thus  Worms  may  join,  and  grafp  the  Poles, 

Thus  Atoms  fills  the  Sea) 

But  the  whole  R.ace  of  Creature- Souls         (loft  in  tfree» 

Stretch'd  to  their  laft  Extent  of  Thought,  plunge  and  ars- 

IV. 

Great  God,  behold  my  Reafon    lits 

Adoring ;  yet  my  Love  would  rife' 

Qn  Pinions  not  her   own  : 

Faith    mall  direct  her  humble  Flight, 

Thro'  all  the  tracklefs  Seas  of  Light, 

To  Thee,  th'  Eternal  Fair,-  the  Infinite  Unknown. 

#  *  #  ###•###  m  #####.######- 

Death  and  Eternity, 

I. 

"]%  /IT  Thoughts,  that  often  mount  the  Skies, 
i.T-L  Go,  fearch.  the  World  beneath* 


i3  L  r  R  I  C    P  0  E  M  S,         Book  I, 

Where   Nature  in  all  Ruin  lies, 
-And  owns  her  Sovereign,  Death. 

II. 

The  Tyrant,  how  he  triumphs  here  ! 

His  Trophies  fpread  around  ! 
And  heaps  of  Duft  and  Bones  appear 

Thro'  all  the  hollow  Ground. 
III. 
Thefe  Skulls,  what  ghaftly  Figures  now  I 

How  loathfome  to  the  Eyes  ? 
Thefe  are  the  Heads  we  lately  knew 

So  beauteous  and  i'o  wife. 

IV. 
But  where  the  Souls,  thofe  deathlefs  Things 

That  left  his  dying  Clay  ? 
My  thoughts,  now  lire tch  out  all  your  Wings, 

And  trace  Eternity. 

V. 
O  that  unfathomable  Sea  ! 

Thofe  Deeps  without  a  Shore  ! 
Where  living  Waters  gently  play, 

Or  fiery  Billows  rOar. 

VI. 
Thus  muft  we  leave  the  Banks  of  Life?- 

And  try  this  doubtful  Sea  ; 
Vain  are  our  Groans,  and  dying  Strife*- 

To  gain  a  Moment's  StJ^. 
VII. 
There  we  fliall  fwim  in  heav'nly  Blifs, 

Or  fink  in  flaming  Waves, 
While  the  pale  Carcafs  thoughtlefs  lies, 

Amongfl  the  filent  Graves. 
VIII. 
Some  hearty  Friend  (hall  drop  his  Tear 

On  our  dry  Bones,  and  fay, 
"  Thefe  once  were  ftrong,  as  mine  appear, 

"  And  mine  mufl  be  as  they." 
IX. 
Thus  fhall  our  mould'ring  Members  teach 

What  now  ourSenfes  learn  : 
For  Dull  and  Allies  loudeft  preach 

Man's  infinite  Concern. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  19 

A  Sight  of  Heaven  in  Sicknefs, 
I. 

OFT  have  I  fat  in  fecret  Sighs, 
To  feel  my  Fleih  decay, 
Then  groan'd  aloud  with  frighted  Eye:3 
.    To  view  the  tott'ring  Clay.  - 
II.- 
But  I  forbid  my  Sorrows  now, 

Nor  dares  the  Flefh  complain  £ 
Difeafes  bring  their  Profit  too ; 
The^oy  o'ercomes  the  Pain. 
III. 
Mychearful  Soul  now  all  the  Day. 

Sits  waiting  here  and  rings ; 
Looks  thro'  the  Ruins  of  her  Clay, 
And  pradtifes  her  Wings. 

IV. 
Faith  almoft  changes  mto  SightD 

While  from  afar  me  fpies, 
Her  fair  Inheritance,  in  Light' 
Above  created  Skies* 

V. 
Had  but  the  Prifon- Walls  been  ftrong', 

And  firm  without  a  Flaw, 
In  Darknefs  me  had  dwelt  too  long, 
.  And  lets  of  Glory  faw. 

VI. 
But  now  the  everlatUng  Hills 
Thro'  every  Chink  appear, 
And  fomething  of  the  joy  fiie  feels 
While  fhe's  a  Pris'nerhere, 
VII. 
The  Shines  of  Heaven  rum  fweetly  iiv 

At  all  the  gaping  Flaws  ; 
Virions  of  endlefs  Blifs  are  feen  ; 
And  native  Air  ihe  draws. 

VITI. 
O  may  thefe  Walls  frand  tott'ring  flillj 
The  Breaches  never  clofe^. 

U 


ro  L  T  R  1  C   PO  E  M  S,        Book-IV 

If  I  muft  here  in  Darknefs  dwell, 

And  all  this  Glory  lofe  ! 

IX. 
Or  rather  let  this  Flefh  decay, 

The  Rains  wictergrow, 
Till  glad  to  fee  th'  enlarged  Wavr 

I  Itretchmy  Pinions  through.' 

The  Unherfal  Hallelujah. 
Pfalm   cxlviii.   Pavapbraf-d. 

I. 

jRAISE  ye  the  Lord  with  joyful  Tone,- 


p1 


Ye  Povv'rs  that  guard  his  Thror, 


JESUS  the  Man  mall  lead  the  Song, 
The  God  infpire  the  Tune. 

ir. 

Gabriel,  and  all  th*  immortal  Chqir 

That  fill  the  Realms  above, 
Sing  ;  for  he  form'd  you  of  his  Fire, 

And  feeds  you  with  his  Love. 
III. 
Shine  to  his  Praife,  ye  Chryftal  Ski«$, 

The  Floor  of  his  Abode, 
Or  veil  your  little  twinkling  Eyes 

Before  a  brighter  GOD. 

IV. 
Thou  reftlefs  Globe  of  Golden  Light, 

Whofe  Beams  create  our  Days, 
Join  with  the  Silver  Queen  of  Night, 

To  own  your  borrow'd  Rays. 
V. 
Blum  and  refund  the  Honours  paid 

To  your  inferior  Names  : 
Tell  the  blind  World,  your  Orbs  are  fed 

By  his  o'erflowing  Flames. 
VI. 
Winds,  ye  fhal!  bear  his  Name  aloud 

Thro'  the  Ethereal  Blue, 
For  when  his  Chariot  is  a  Cloud, 

He  make*  his  Wheels  of  vou. 


VII. 

< 


.'■Sacred -to  Devotion,  %q.  £x 

VII. 

Thunder  and  Hail,  and  .Fires  .and  Storms., 

The  Troops  of  his  Command, 
Appear  in  all  your  dreadful  Forms, 

And  (peak  his  awful  Hand. 

VTII. 

Shout  to  the.Lo.RD,  ye  forging  Seas, 

In  your  eternal  Roar; 
Xet  Vvrave  to  Wave  refound  his  Praife, 
And  Shore  reply  to  Shore  : 
IX 
While  Monfters  {porting  on  the  Flood, 

In  icaly  Silver  mine. 
Speak  terribly  their  Maker-GoD, 
And  iafh  the  foaming  Brine. 
X. 
But  gentler  Things  fhall  tune  his  Name 

To  fofter  Notes  than  thefe, 
Young  Zephyrs  breathing  o'er  the  Strears5 
Or  whifperin?  thro'  the  Trees. 
XL 
Wave  your  tall  Heads,  ye  lofty  Pines, 

To  him  that  bid  you  grow, 
Sweet  Clutters,  bend  the  fruitful  Vines 
On  every  thankful  Bough. 
XII. 
.Let  the  fhriil  birds  his  Honour  raife, 

And  climb  the  Morning-Sky: 
While  groveling  Beails  attempt  his  Praife 
In  hoarfer  Harmony. " 

XIII. 
Thus  while  the  meaner  Creatures  ling, 

Ye  Mortals,  take  the  Sound, 
Echo  the  Glories  of  your  Ring 
Thro'  all  the  Nations  round. 

XIV. 

Th'  Eternal  Name  mull:  fiy  abroad 

From  Britain  to  Japan  ; 
And  the  whole  Race  fliali  bow  to  Go» 

That  owns  the  Name  of  Man. 


2|  L  TR  I  C    POEMS,  EookL 

T§  Aihafis  Mtfakc. 

r. 

LAUGH,-  ye  Prophane,  and  Avell  and  burft 
With  bold  Impiety: 
Yet  fliall  ye  live  for  ever  curVd,  4 

And  feek  in  vain  to  die. 

M. 
TJie  Gafp  of  your  expiring  Breath 
Configns  your  Souls  to  Chains, 
By  the  lait  Agonies  of  Death 
Sent  down  to  hercer  Pains. 
III. 
Ye  Hand  upon  a  dreadful  Steep, 

And  all  beneath  is  Hell  ; 
Your  weighty  Guilt  w:-iil  fink  you  deep, 
Where  the  old  Serpent  fell. 
IV. 
When  Iron  Slumbers  bind  your  Flefh, 

With  ftrange  Surprize  you'll  find 
Immortal  Vigour  fpring  afrefii, 
And  Tortures  wake  the  Mind  ! 
V. 
Then  you'll  confefs  the  frightful  Names 

Of  Plagues  you  fcorn'd  before, 
'No  more  ihali  look  like  idle  Dreams, 
Like  foolifh  Tales  no  more. 
VI. 
Then  mall  ye  curfe  that  fatal  Day, 

(With  Flames  upon  your  Tongues) 
When  you  exchang'd  your  Souls  away 
For  Vanity  and  Songs. 

Bthold  the  Saints  rejoice  to  die, 

For  Heav'n  flnnes  round  their  Heads; 
And  Angel-Guards  prepard  to  fly. 
Attenc  their  fainting  Beds. 
VIII. 
Their  longing  Spirits  part,  and  rife 
To  their  Cdeftial  Scat  \ 

Above 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  '6cc<  -2, 3 

'Above  thefe  ruinable  Skies 

They  make  their  laic  Retreat. 
IX. 
Hence,  ye  Prophane,  I  hate  yQur  Ways, 

I  walk  with  pious  Souls ; 
There's  a  wide  Difference  in  our  Race, 

And  diirant  are  our  Goals. 

The  Law  given  at  Sinai. 


ARM  thee  with  Thunder,  heavenly  Mule* 
And  keep  th'lbxpecting  World  in  Awe  $ 
:Oft  hail  thou  fung  in  gentler  Mood 
The  melting  Mercies  of  thy  Gdo,; 
Now  give  thy  fierceft  Fires  a  Loofe, 

And  found  his  dreadful  Law  ; 
To  Ifrael  firft  the  Words  were  fpoke, 
To  Ifrael  freed  from  Egypt's  Yoke, 
Inhuman  Bondage  !  The  hard  galling  Lead 
Over-prefs'd  their  feeble  Souls, 
Bent  their  Knees  to  fenfelefs  Bul!s3 
And  broke  their  Ties  to  God. 
II. 
Now  had:they  pafs'd  the  Arabian  Bay, 

.  And  march'd  between  the  cleaving  Sea  ; 
The  riling  Waves  flood  Guardians  of  their  woni'rous  Way> 
But  fell  with  molt  impetuous  Force, 

On  the  purfuing  Swarms, 
And  bury'd  Egypt  all  in  Arms, 
.Blending  in  watry  Death  the  Rider  and  the  Horfe  j 
-O'er  ftruggling  Pharaoh  roll'd  the  mighty  Tide, 
And  fav'dthe  Labours  of  a  Pyramid. 
Apis  and  Ore  in  vain  he  cries, 
And  all  his  horned  Go;ds  befide, 
He  fwallows  Fate  with  fwiinming  Eyes* 
And  curs'd  the  Hebrews  as  he  dy'd. 
MS, 

Ah  1  foolim  Ifrael  to  comply 
With  Mmphian  Idolatry ! 

And 


-^  LYRIC    TOE  M  S,        Book  L 

And  bow  to  Brutes,  (a  ftupid  Slave) 
To  Idols  impotent  to  lave  ! 
.'Behold  thy  God,  the  Sovereign  of  the  Sky, 
Has  wrought  Salvation  in  the  Deep, 
Has  bound  thy  Foes  in  Iron  Sleep, 
And  rais'd  thine  Honours  high.; 
Jlis  grace  forgoes  thy  Follies  pad, 
Behold  he  comes  in  Majeily, 
.And  Sinai's  Top  proclaims  his  Law  : 
Prepare  to  meet  thy  Gob  in  hade,; 
But  k^ep  an  awful  Diftance  fiiil  : 
La  Mojes  round  the  facred  Hill 
The  circling  Limits  draw. 

IV. 

;.Hark  !  The  mrill  Echoes  of  the  Trumpet  roar, 

And  call  the  trembling  Armies  near  ; 

Slow  and  unwilling  they  -appear, 

Rails  kept  them  from  the  Mount  before, 
Now  from  their  Rails  their  Fear  ; 
'Twas  the  fame  Herald,  and  the  Trump  the  fame 

Which  fhall  be  blown  by  high  Command, 

Shall  bid  the  Wheels  of  Nature  ftand, 

And  HeavVs  eternal  Will  proclaim, 
That  "[i7heji?all  be  no  more. 

V. 

"Thus  while  the  labouring  Angel  fwell'd  the  Sound, 

And  rent  the  Skies,  and  fhook  the  Ground, 
Up  rofe  th'  Almighty  ;   round  his  Sapphire  Seat 

Adorning  Thrones  in  Order  fell  ; 

The  lefler  Powers  at  diftance  dwell, 
And  cart  their  Glories  down  fucceflive  at  his  Feet-.* 

Gabriel  the  Great  prepares  his  way,    , 
Lift  up  your  Heads.,  Eternal  Doors,  he  cries ; 

Th'  Eternal  Doors  his  Word  obey, 

Open  and  (hoot  Celellial  Day 
Upon  the  lower  Skies. 

HeavVs  mighty  Pillars  bow'd  their  Head, 
As  their  Creator  bid, 
And  down  Jehovah  rode  from  the  fupcrior  Sphere, 
A  thoufand  Guards  before,  and  Myriads  in  the  Rear. 

VI. 


Sacred  ^'Devotion,. &c.  25 

.VI. 

His  Chariot  was  a  pitchy  Cloud, 

The  Wheels  befet  with  burning  Gems ; 

The  Wind  in  Harnefs .with  the  Flames 
Fiew  o'«r  th'  Ethereal  Road  : 

Down  thro'  his  Magazines  he  psfl 

Of  Hail>  and  Ice,  and  fleecy  Snow, 

Swift  roll'd  the  Triumph,  and  as  fz§. 
Did  Hail,  .and  Ice,  in  melted  Rivers  flow. 

The  Day  was  mingled  with  the  Night, 
His  Feet  on  folid  Darknefs  trod, 

His  radient  Eyes  proclaim  5d  the  God,, 
And  fcatter'd  dreadful  Light  ; 
He  breath'd,  and  Sulphur  ran,  a  fiery  Stream  : 

He  fpoke,  .and  (tho'  with  unknown'Speed  he  came) 
Chid  the  ilow  Temped,  and  the  lagging  Flame. 

Sinai  receiv'd,  his  glorious  Flight, 
With  Axle  red,  and  glowing  Wheel 

Did  the  winged  Chariot  light, 
And  rifing  Smoke  obfcurM  the  burning  HilL 
Lo,  it  mounts  in  curling  Waves, 
Lo,  the  gloomy  Pride  out-braves 
The  ftately  Pyramids  of  Fire 
The  Pyramids  to  Heav'n  afpire, 
And  mix  with  Stars,  but  fee  their  gloomy  Offspring  higher 
So  you  have  feen  ungrateful  Ivy  grow 
Round  the  tall  Oa.k  that  fix  fcore  Years  has  flood, 

And  proud iy  moot  a  Leaf  or  two 
Above  its  kind  Supporters  utmoft  Bough, 
And  glory  there  to  ftand  the  loftier!:  of  the  Wood, 
VIII. 
Forbear,  young  Mufe,  forbear ; 
The  ffow'ry  Things  that  Poers  fay, 
The  little  Arts  of  Simile 

Are  vain  and  uftlefs  here  ; 
Nor  mail  the  burning  Hills  of  Old 

With  Sinai  be  compaVd, 
Nor  all  that  lying  Greece  has  told, 
Or  learned  Kerns  has  heard ; 

C  *  Jfyna 


26  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  L 

uEtna  mall  be  nam'd  no  more, 
JEtna  the  Torch  of  Sicily ; 
Not  half  fo  high 
Her  Lightnings  fty, 
Not  half  fo  loud  her  Thunders  roar 
Crofs  the  Sicanian  Sea,   to  fright  th'  Italian  Shore. 
Behold  the  facred  Hill :  Its  trembling  Spire 
Quakes  at  the  Terrors  of  the  Fire, 
While  all  below  its  verdant  Feet 
Stagger  and  reel  under  th'  Almighty  Weight : 
Prefs'd  with  a  greater  than  feign'd  Atlas*  Load 
Deep  groan'd  the  Mount ;  it  never  bore 
Infinity  before, 
It  bow'd,  and  iliook  beneath  the  Burden  of  a  God. 
IX. 
.Frefh  Horror  feize  the  Camp,  Defpair, 
And  dying  Groans,  torment  the  Air, 
And  Shrieks,  and  Swoons,  and  Deaths  were  there ; 
The  bellowing  Thunder,  and  the  Lightning's  Blaze 

Spread  thro'  the  Hoft  a  wild  Amaze  ; 
Darknefs  on  every  Soul,  and  pale  was  every  Face  : 
Confus'd  and  difmal  were  the  Cries, 
Let  Mofesfpeak,  or  Ifrael  dies  : 
Mofes  the  fpreading  Terror  feel?, 
No  more  the  Man  of  God  conceals 

His  Shivering  and   Surprize  : 
Yet,  with  recovering  Mind,  commands 
Silence,  and  deep  Attention,  thro'  the  Hebrew  Bands. 
X. 
Hark  !  from  the  Center  of  the  Flame, 
All  arm'd  and  feather'd  with  the  fame, 
Majeftick  Sounds  break  thro'  the   imoaky  Cloud  : 

Sent  from  the  All-creating  Tongue, 
A  Flight  of  Cherubs  guard  the  Words  along, 
And  bear  their  hery  Law  to  the  retreating  Crowd. 
XL 
•'  I  am  the  Lord  :  'Tis  1  proclaim 
"  That  glorious  and  that  fearful  Name, 
"  Thy  God  and  King  :  'Twas  I,  that  broke 
"  Thy  Bond  age*  and  th'  Egyptian  Yokfc; 
"  Mine  is  the  Right  to  fpcuk  my  Will, 
"  And  thine  the  Duty  to  fulfil. 

"  Adore 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  27 

"  Adore  no  God  befide  Me,  to  provoke  mine  Eyes  ; 
H  Nor  worfhip  Me  in  Shapes  and  Forms  that  Men  devife  ; 
"  WithRev'rence  ufe  myName,  nor  turn  my  Words  to  Jell ; 
fj  Obferve  my  Sabbath  well,  nor  dare  profane  my  Red  ; 
"  Honour,  and  due  Obedience  to  thy  Parents  give  ; 
"  Nor  fpill  the  guiltiefs  Blood,  nor  let  the  Guilty  live  : 
*'  Preferve  thy  Body  chafte,  and  flee  th*  unlawful  Bed  ; 
M  Nor  Heal  thy  Neighbour's  Gold,  his  Garment,   or  his 

Bread  ; 
*  Forbear  to  blaft  his  Name  with  Falihood,  or  Deceit; 
"  Nor  let  thy  Wifhes  loofe  upon  his  large  Eflate. 

Remember  your  Creator ,  &c.  Ecclef.  xii. 

I. 

CHILDREN,  to  your  Creator  God, 
Your  early   Honours  pay, 
While  Vanity  and  youthful  Blood 
Would  tempt  your  Thoughts  aflray. 
11. 
The  Memory  of  his  mighty  Name, 

Demands   your  firlt  Regard: 
Nor  dare  indulge  a  meaner  Flame, 
'Till  you  have  lov'd  the  Lord. 
III. 
Be  wife,  and  make  his  Favour  fure, 

Before  the  mournful  Days, 
When  Youth  and  Mirth  are  known  no  more, 
And  Life  and  Strength  decays. 
IV. 
No  more  the   Bleffings  of  a  Feall 

Shall  relifh   on  the  Tongue, 
The  heavy  Ear  forgets  the  Tafle 
And  Pleaiure   of  a  Son?. 

\. 

Old  Age,  with  all  her  difmal   Train, 

Invades  your  golden  Years 
With  Sighs   and  Groans,  and  raging  Pain*. 

And  Death,  that  never  fpares. 

C  z  VI, 


?.  8  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,         Book  I. 

VI. 

What  will  ye  <!o   wLen   Light  departs, 
A»d    le,a?§6   your   v/kh^ing   Eyes, 

■ut  'lie  Beam  to   cluv.r   your  Hearts, 
Frdrn  the   iu^er:or  Skies? 
\  II. 
JIo,\v  will  you  meet   God's   frowning  Brow, 
.      Or  iland    before.  r> is    Seat, 
Whiie    Nature's  old  Supporters  bow, 
Nor    bear   t'heir  tott'ring  Weight  I 
VliJ. 
Can   you  expect  your  feeble  Arms 

Shall  make  a  ilrong   Defence, 

When   Death,    with   terrible    Alarms, 

Summons-  the  Fris'ner  hence  ? 

IX. 

The   Silver  Bands  of  Nature   burft, 

And  let   the   Building  fall  ; 
The  Flefn   goes   down  to  mix  with  Duff, 
Its  vile   Original. 

X. 
Laden   with   Guilt,    (a  heavy  Load) 

Uncleans'd   and  unforgiv'n, 
The   Soul  returns   t'  an  angry    God, 
'1  o   be  fhut   out  from  Heav'n. 

Sun,  Moon,   and-  Stars,  praij}  ye  the  Lord. 

I. 

\  I  R  Ji-S.T  of  all  the  Li.-hts  above, 
Thou   Sen,  whole  Bekns  adorn  the   Sohcjfv 
umveary'd   SwiitftfeTs    niove, 
To   form   the   Circles  of  our    Year?  ; 

H. 
Praife   the   Creator  of  Mid   Skfes, 
That  drei?u   thine   Orb  eri    Raya  : 

Or   may    the   Sun    forget    to 
If  he   forget   h:s.  Maker's    Pranc. 

- 
Thou  rejfi :  ■  *m, 

1  air  C^ucen.  ti   Silence  :-.:..■   Rfctoii, 

Whofc 


Sacred  to  Devotions  &c  29 

Whole   gentle  Beams,    and  borrow'd  Light, 
Are   fofter  Rivals   of  the  Noon  ; 

IV. 
Arife,   and  to  that  Sovereign   Pow'r 
Waxing    and  waning  Honours  pay, 
Who   bid  thee  rule  the   duiky   Hour, 
And  half  fupply   the  a.bfent   Day. 

Ye  twinkling  Stars,  who.  gild   the   Skies 
When  Darknefs    has  its    Curtains   drawn., 
Who  keep  your  Watch,  with   wakeful  Eyes, 
When  Bufmeff,  Cares,  and  Day  are  gone: 

IV.    ' 
Proclaim  the  Glories  of  your   Lord, 
Difpers'd  thro'  all    the  heavenly   Street, 
Whofe  boundlefs  Treafures  can   afford 
So  rich  a  Pavement   for  his  Feet. 

VJI. 
Thou  Heav'n    of  Heav'ns,  fupremely  brigkt, 
Fair  Palace  of  the   Court   Divine, 
Where  with  inimitable  Light, 
The  Godhead  condefcends  to   mine. 

VIII. 
Praife  thou   thy  great  Inhabitant, 
Who  fca iters  lovely  Beams  of  Grace 
On  every  Angel,  every   Saint, 
Nor  veils   the   Luftre  of  his    Face. 

IX. 
O  God   cf  Glory,   God.  of  Love, 
Thou   art  the- Sun    that  makes    our  D-ays  ; 
With   all   thy  mining  Works  'above, 
Let  Earth  and  Dull  attepipi!   ::  y    I&aifej 

The  Welcome  Mejfenger. 

I. 

LORD,   when  we  fee   a   Saint  of  thine 
Lie  gafping  on  his   Breath, 
With  longing  Eyes,  and  Looks   Divine* 
Smiliing  and  pleas'd    in   Deaths 

C  3.  II. 


3o  L  YR  I  C    P  0  E  M  S,  Bookl. 

IT. 

How  we  could  e'en  contend   to  lay 

Our  Limbs   upon  that   Bed  ! 
We  afk  thine  Envoy  to  convey 

Our  Spirits  in  his  Stead. 
III. 
Our  Souls  are  rifing  on  the  Wing, 

To  venture  in  his  Place ; 
For  when   grim  Death  has  loft  his  Sting, 

He  has  an  Angel's  Face. 

IV.  ^ 
y  E  S  U  S9    then  purge  my  Crimes  away, 

'Tis  Guilt  creates  my  Fears, 
•Tis  Guilt  gives  Death  its  fierce  Array, 

And   all   the  Arms  it   bears. 
V. 
Oh  1  if  my  threatping  Sins   were  gone, 

And  Death   had  loll  his  Sting, 
I  could  invite  the  Angel  on, 

And   chide  his  lazy  Wing. 
VI. 
Away  thefe  interpofing  Days, 

And  let  the  Lovers  meet  ; 
The  Angel  has  a  cold   Embrace,  4 

But  kind,  and  foft,  and   fweet. 
VII. 
I'd  leap  at  once  my  Seventy  Years ; 

I'd  rufli  into  his   Arms, 
J\nd  lofe  my  Breath,  and   all  my  Cares, 

Amidit  thofe  heav'nly  Charms. 
VJII. 
Joyful  I'd  lay  this  Body  down, 

And    leave  the  lifelefs  Clay, 
Without  a  Sigh,  without  a  Groan, 

And   itreich  and  foar  away. 

Sincere  Praife. 

I. 

A    LM1GHTY    Maker,  God! 

'<kI\>  How  wondrous  is  thy  Name !  '■ 

«*  *»  '  Thy 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c, 

* 
Thy  Glories  how   diffus'd  abroad 
Thro'  the  Creation's  Frame  ! 

II. 
Nature  in  every  Drefs 
Her  humble  Homage  pays, 
And  finds  a  thoufand  Ways  t'  exprefs 
Thine  undifTembled  Praife. 

III. 
In  native  White  and  Red 
The  Rofe  and  Lilly  (land, 
And  free  from  Pride,    their  Beauties  fpread. 
To   mew  thy  ikiiful  Hand. 
IV. 
The  Lark  mounts   up  the  Sky, 
With   unambitious  Song, 
And  bears  her  Maker's  Praife  on  high 
Upon   her  artlefs  Tongue. 

My  Soul  would  rife  and  fing 
To  her  Creator  too, 
Fain   would  my  Tongue  adore  my  King, 
And  pay   the  Worfaip  due. 

But  Pride,  that  .buly  Sis, 

Spoils  ajl  tflat  I  perform  ; 
Curs'd  Pride,  that  creeps   fecure!y  in. 

And  fwells  a  haughty  Worm, 
Y1L 

Thy  Glories  I  abate, 

Or  praife  thee  with  Deiign  ; 
Some  of  the  Favours  I  forget, 

Or  think  the  Merit  mine. 
VIII. 

The  very  Songs  I  frame, 

Are   faithlefs   to   thy  Caufe, 
And  ileal  the  Honours  of  thy  Name 

To  build  their  own  Applaufe. 
IX. 

Create  my  Soul   anew, 

Elfe   all  my  Worship's  vain  ; 
-This   wretched  Heart  will  ne'er  be  true, 

Until  'tis  form'd  again. 


32  LTR1CP0EMS,         Book  I. 

X. 

Defcend,  Celeflial  Fire, 

And   feize  me  from   above, 
Melt  me   in  Flames  of  pure   Defire, 

A   Sacrifice  to  Love. 

XL 

Let  Joy   and   Worfhip  fpend 

Tiie  Remnant   of  my  Days, 
And  to  my  God,  my  Soul,  afcend, 

In  fweet   Perfumes  of  Praife. 

Trus  Learning. 
Partly  imitated  from  a  French  Sonnet  of  Mr.  Point, 


fT  A  P  P  Y   the  Feet  that  mining  Truth  has  led 
X   With  her  own  Hand  to  tread  the  Path  fhe  ^>kafe, 
To  fee  her  native  Luftre  round  her  fpread, 

Without  a  Veil,  without  a  Shade, 
All  Beauty,  and  all  Light,  as  in  herfelf  fhe  is. 

II. 
Our  Senfes  cheat  us  with  the  prcfiing  Crowds 
Of  painted  Shapes  they  thruft  upon  the  Mind  : 
'I  'he  Truth  they  mew  lies  wrapM  in  fev'nfold  Shrouds* 

Our  Senses  calt  a  Thoufand  Clouds 
On  unenlightened  Souls,  and  leave  them  doubly  blind. 

III. 
I  hate  the  Dull  that  fierce  Difputers  raife, 
And  lofe  the   Mind  in  a  wild  Maze  of  Thought  : 
What  empty  Triflings,  and  what  fubtil  Ways, 

To  fence  and  guard  by  Rule  and  Rote  ! 
Our  God  will  never  charge  us,  That  we  knew  them  Not. 

IV. 
Touch,  Heavenly  Word,  O  touch  thefe  curious  Souls; 
Since  I  have  heard  but  one  foft  Hint  from  Thee, 
From  all   the  vain  Opinions  of  the  Schools 

(That  Pageantry  of  knowing  F«i>l?) 
I  feel  my  Powers  releas'd,  and  itand  divinely  free. 


Sacred  to  Devotion  &c. 

V. 
'Twas  this  Almighty  Word  that  all  Things  made3 
He  grafps  whole  Nature  in  his  fingle  Hand  ; 
All  the  Eternal  Truths  in  him  are  laid, 

The  Ground  of  all  Things,  and  tjieir  Head, 
The  Circle  where  they  move,  and  Center  where  tfevJiapcL 

v  i. 
Without  his  Aid  I  have  no  fure  Defence, 
From  Troops  of  Errors  that  befiege  me  round  ; 
But  he  that  refts  his  Reafon  and  his  Senfe 

Fall  here,  and  never  wanders  hence, 
Unmoveable  he  dwells  upon  unihaken  Ground. 

VII. 
Infinite  Truth,  the  Life  of  my  Deiires, 
Come  from  the  Sky,  and  join  thy  felf  to  me  ; 
I'm  tir'd  with  Hearing,  and  this  reading  tires ; 

But  never  tir'd  of  telling  Thee, 
*Tis  thy  fair  Face  alone  my  Spirit  burns  to  fee* 

VIII. 
Speak  to  my  Soul,  alone,  no  other  Hand 
Shall  mark  my  Path  out  with  deluiive_Art : 
All  Nature  fllent  in  his  Pretence  Hand, 

Creatures  be  dumb  at  his  Command, 
And  leave  his  iiugle  Voice  to  whiiper  to  my  Heart. 
IX. 

Retire,  my  Soul,  within  thy  felf  ret,'re? 

Away  from  Senfe  and  every  outward  Show  : 

Now  let  my  Thought;;  to  loftier  Themes  afpire, 
My  Knowledge  now  en  W&8flj  fii  Fire 
May  mount  and  fpread  abo^rc,  j^y^'iag  all  below. 

The  Lord  grows  Iaviih  of  .hiorheav'rly  Light, 
And  pours  whole  Fie:  ;ji  a  Mind!  as  mis ; 

Fled  from  the  Eyes  ihe  gains  a  piercing  Si^ht, 
She  dives  into  the  Infinite 
And  fees  unutterable  Things  in  that  uqktiQ/Wj 


)-: 


I. 

Romance  him  blett,  my  Mufe,  whom  Wisdom  p-uides- 
in  her  (>.v,n  Path  to  fe'er  •  wn  he  .ve.ily  Seat  ; 
Thro'  ail  the  Storms  his  Soul  fecurely  glides, 

Nor 


34  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

Nor  can  the  Tempers,  nor  the  Tides, 
That  rife  and  roar  around,  fupplant  his"  Heady  Feet. 
II. 
Earth,  you  may  let  your  golden  Arrows  fly, 
And  fcek,  in  vain,  a  Paflagc  to  his  Bread, 
Spread  al!  your  painted  Toys  to  court  his  Eye, 
He  fmiles,  and  fees  them  vainly  try 
To  lure  his  Soul  afide  from  her  Eternal  Reft. 
III. 
Our  head-irrong  Lufts,  like  a  young  fiery  Horfe, 
Start,  and  flee  raging  in  a  violent  Courfe  ; 
He  tames  and  breaks  them,  manages  and  rides  'em. 
Checks  their  Career,  and  turns  and  guides  'em, 
And  bids  his  Reafon  bridle  their  licentious  Force. 
IV. 
lord  of  himfelf,  he  rules  his  wildeft  Thoughts, 
And  boldly  acts  what  calmy  he  defign'd, 
Whilil  he  looks  down  and  pities  human  Fault ; 
Nor  can  he  think,  ncr  can  he  find 
A  Plague  like  reigning  PaiTions,  and  a  Subject  Mind. 

JBut  oh  !  'tis  mighty  Toil  to  reach  this  Height, 
To  yanquifh  Self  is  a  laborious  Art; 
What  manly  Courage  to  fuftain   the  Fight 
To  bear  the  noble  Pain,    and  part 
With  thofe  dear  charming  Tempters  rooted  in  the  Heart  i 
VI. 
*Tis  hard  to  ftand  when  all  the  Paffions  move, 
Hard  to  awake  the  Eye  that  Paflion  blinds 
To  rend  and  tear  out  this  unhappy  Love, 
That  clings  fo  clofe  about  our  Minds, 
And  where  th'  inchanted  Soul  fo  fweet  a  Poifon  finds. 
VII. 
Hard  ;  but  it  may  be  done.     Come,  Heavenly  Fire, 
Come  to  my  Breafl,  and  with  one  powerful  Ray 
Melt  off  my  Lulls,  m)  Fetters  :   I  can  bear 
A  while  to  be  a  Tenant  here, 
But  not  be  chain'd  and  prifon'd  in  a  Cage  of  Clay. 
VIII. 
Heav'n  is  my  Home  and  I  mult  ufe  my  Wings  j 
Sublime  £.bove  tlie  Globe  my    Flight  afpircs  : 
I  have  a  Soul  was  made  to  pity  Kings, 

And 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  35 

And  all  their  little  glitt'ring  Things  ; 
X  have  a  Soul  was  made  for  infinite  Defires. 
IX. 
Loos'd  from  the  Earth,  my  Heart  is  upward  flown  5 
Farewel,  my  Friends,  and  all  that  once  was  mine; 
Now,  fhould  you  fix  my  Feet  on  Car/ar's  Throne, 
Crown  me,  and  call  the  World  my  own, 
The  Gold  that  binds  my  Brows  could  ne'er  my  Soul  confine. 
X. 
lam  the  Lord's,   and   JESUS  is  my   Love  ; 
He,  the  dear  God,  fhall  fill  my  vaft  Defire, 
My  Flefh  below  -,  yet  I  can  dwell  above, 
And  nearer  to  my  Saviour  move  ; 
There  all  my  Soul  fhall  center,  all  my  Pow'rs  confpire, 
XI.       . 
Thus  I  with  Angels  live  ;  thus  half-divine 
I  fit  on  high,  nor  mind  inferior  Joys  : 
FilPd  with  his  Love,  I  feel  that  -God   is  mine, 
His  Glory  is  my  great  Defign, 
That  everlafting  Projed  all  my  Thoughts  employs. 

»»£»»»»»»&«£. 

A  Song  to  creating  TVifdom. 

PART    I. 

I. 

ETERNAL  Wisdom,  thee  we  prsife, 
Thee  the  Creation  fings- : 
With  thy  Loud  Name,  Rocks,  Hills,  and  Seas, 
And  Heaven's  hio-h  Palace  rings. 

ii. 

Place  me  on  the  bright  Wings  of  Day 

To  travel  with  the  San  ; 
"With  what  Amaze  fhall  I  furvey 
The  Wonders  thou  hafc  done  \?- 
III. 
Thy  Hand  how  wide  it  fpread  the  Sky  V 

How  glorious  to  behold  ? 
Ting'd  with  a  Blue  of  heavenly  Dye, 
And  t  arr'd  with  fparklin^  Gold. 
IV. 
Jhere  thou  hail  hid  the  Globes  of  Light 
Their  endkfs  Circles  run  -p  ' 

There 


36  LYRICPOE  M  $>         Book  L 

There  the  pale  Planet  rules  the  Night, 
And  Day  obeys  the  Sun. 

PART    II. 


Downward  I  turn   my  wdnd'ring  Eyes 

On  Clouds  and  Storms  below, 
Thofe  under  Regions  of  the  Skies 

Thy  num'rous  Glories  fhow. 
VI. 
The  noify  Winds  fland  ready  there 

Thy   Orders   to  obey, 
With  founding  Wings  they  fweep  the  Ah9 

To  make  thy  Chariot  Way. 
VJI. 
There,  like  a  Trumpet,  loud  and  flrong^ 

Thy  Thunder  fhakes  our  Coaft  : 
While  the  red  Lightnings  wave  along, 

The  Banners  of  thins   Kofi. 
VIII. 
On  the  thin  Air,  without  a  Prop, 

Hang  fruitful  Show'rs  around  : 
At  thy  Command  they  fink  and   drop 

Their  Fatnefs  on  the  Ground. 

PART    IIL 

IX. 

Now  to  the  Earth  I  bend  my  Song, 

And  call:  my   Eyes  abroad, 
Glancing  the  Britijh  Hies  along  ; 

Bleft  Iiles,  confefs  your  God. 
X. 
How  did  his  wondrous  Skill  array 

Your  Fields  in  charming  Green  „ 
A  thoufand  Herbs  his  Art  difplay, 

A  thoufand  Flowers  between  ! 
XI. 
Tall  Oaks  for  future  Navies  grow, 

Fair  Albion's  beft  Defence, 
While  Corn  and  Vines  rejoice  below.. 

Thofe  Luxuries  of  Senfc* 

XII. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  Sec.  37 

XII. 
The  bleating  Flocks  his  Pa-fture  feeds  : 

And  Herds  of  larger  Size, 
That  bellow  thro'  the  Lindian  Mead?, 
His  bounteous  Hand  flip  plies. 

PART    IV. 

XIII. 
We  fee  the  Thames  carrefs  the  Shore, 

He  guides  her  filver  flood  : 
While  angry  Severn  fwells  and  roars. 
Yet  hears   her. Ruler   God. 
XIV. 
The  rolling  Mountains  of  the  Deep 

Obferve  his  ftrcng  Command  ; 
His  Breath  can  raife  the  Billows  deep* 
Or  fink,  them  to  the  Sand. 

XV. 
Amidft  thy  watry  Kingdoms  Lo-rd* 

The  finny  Nations  play, 
And  fcaly  Moniters,  at  thy  Word, 
JRufli  throy  ihe  Northern  Sea. 

P  J  RT    V.. 
XVI. 
Thy  Glories  blaze  all  Nature  round, 

And  ilrike  the  gazing  Sight, 
Thro*  Skies,  and  Seaa,  and  folid  GrouncV 
With  Terror  and  Delight. 

XVII. 
Infinite  Strength,  and  equal  Skill, 
Shine  thro'  the  Worlds  abroad. 
Our  Souls  with  vail  Amazemnt  fill* 
Ana  fpeak  the  Builder  God. 
XVIil. 
But  the  fweet  Beauties  of  thy  Grace 

Our  fofter  PafFions  move  ; 

Fity  Divia*  in  JESUS  Fa^re    . 

We  fee,  adore,  and  love. 

■#  #  m  m  #>  #  §  #  #,#;##.##  § M  #*C#  #■ 

God's  Abjoluie  Dominion. 


L 


led 


ORD,  when  my  thoughtful  SculTurveys 
Fire,   Air  end  Earth,  and  Stars  aad  Seas, 
Shem  all  thy  Slaves ; 

CommirHon'd 


38  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  1, 

OmmifHori'd  by  my  Father's  Will, 
Poifms  (hall  cure,  or  .Bairns  lhaii  kill; 

Vernal  Suns,  or  Zepbjr\  Breath, 
May  burn  or  blaft  the  Plants  to  Deatk 

That  fharp  December  laves  ; 

What  can  Winds  or  Planets  boail 

But  a  precari  -us  Pow'r  ? 
The  Sun  is  all  in  Darknefs  loft, 
Froit  {hall  be  Fire,  and  Fire  be  Frofr, 

When  he  appoints  the  Hour. 
II. 
Lo,  the  Norwegians  near  the  Polar  Sky 

Chafe  their  frozen  Limbs  with  >no\v, 

Their  frozen  Limbs  awake  and  glow, 

The  vital  Flame  touch'd  with  a  Urange  Supply 
Rekindles,  for  the  God  of  Life  is  nigh  ; 
He  bids  the  vital  Flood  in  wonted  Circles  flow. 

Cold  Steel  expos'd  to  N  Tthern  Air, 
Drinks  the  Meridian  Fury  of  the  Midnight  Beary 

And  burns  th'  unwary  Stranger  there. 
III. 

Enquire,  my  Soul,  of  antient  Fame, 

L<    k  ]  ack  two  thoufand  Year3,  and  fee 

Th'  AJjyrtan  Prince  transferred  a  Brute, 

For  boaiting  to  be  abfolu-te  : 
Once  to  his  Court  the   God   of  l/rael  came. 

A   King   more  abfolute  than  he. 

I  <  e  the  Furnace  blaze  with  Rage 

Sevenfold  :  I  lee  amidlt  the  Flame 

Three  Htbrenvs  of  Immomi  Name ; 
Th  y  move,  they  walk  acrofs  the  burning  Stage- 
Unhurt,  ana  fearlefs,  while  the  Tyrant  ftood 

A  Statue  ;  Fear  congeal'd  his  Biood  : 

Nor  did  the  raging  Element  dare 

Attempt  their  Garments,  or  their  Hair  ; 
It  knew  the  Lord  of  Nature  there. 
Nature,   com  pel  I'd  by  a  fuperior  Caufe, 

Niw  breaks  her  own  eternal  Laws, 

Now  feems   to  break  tnern,  and  obeys. 

Her  Sov'reign  K-»ng  in  different  Ways.. 

Fanef. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  39 

Father,  how  bright  thy  Glories  fhine  i 

How  broad  thy  Kingdom,  how  divine  ! 
Nature,  and  Miracle,  and  Fate,  and  Chance  are  thine, 
IV. 

Hence  from  my  Heart,  ye  Idols,  flee, 

Ye  founding  Names  of  Vanity  ! 

No   more  my  Lips  fha!l  fdcririce 

To  Chance  and  Nature,  Tales  and  Lies  : 
Creatures  without  a  God   can  yield  me  no  Supplies. 

What  is  the  Sun,  or  what  the  Shade, 

Or  Froils,  or  Flames,  to  kill  or  fave  ; 
His  Favour  is  my  Life,  his  Lips  pronounce  ms  dead  ; 

And  as  his  awful  Dictates  bid, 

Earth  is  my  Mother,  or  my  Grave,.. 

Condescending  Grace. 

In  Imitation  of  the  cxivth  Pfalm. 

I. 

WHEN   the  Eternal  bows  the  Skiess 
To  vifit  Earthly  Things, 
With  Scorn  divine  he  turns  his  Eyes 
From  Towers  of  haughty  Kings  j 
II. 
Rides  on  a  Cloud  difdainful  by 

A   Sultan,  or  a  Czar, 
Laughs  at  the  Worms  that  rife  fo  high, 
Or  frowns  'em  from  afar  ; 
III. 
He  bids  his  awful  Chariot  roll 
Far  downward  from  the  Skies* 
To  vifit   every  humble  Soul, 
With   Pieafure  in  his   Eyes, 
IV. 
Why  mould  the  Lord  that  reigns  above 

Difdain  To    lofty  Kings  : 
Say,  Lord,  and  why  fuch  Looks  of  Love 
Upon  fuch  worthlefs  Things  ? 

Mortals,  be  dumb  ;  what  Creature  dares 
Difpme  his  awful  Will? 

A& 


i 


4o  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,        Book  I. 

Afk  no    Account  of  his  Affairs, 

But  tremble,  and  be  itill. 
VJ. 
Juft  like  his  Nature  is  his  Grace,. 

All  Sovereign,  and  all  Free ; 
Great  God,  how  fearchlefs  are  thy   Ways  T 

How  deep  thy  judgments    be  ! 

The  Infinite, 
I. 

SOME  Seraph  lend  your  heavenly  Tongue, 
Or  Harp  of  Golden  String, 
That  I  may  raife  a  lofty  Song 
To  our  Eternal  King. 

II. 
Thy  Names,  how  Infinite  they  be  f 

Great    Everlasting    One  ! 
Boundlefs  thy  Might  and  Majefty, 
And  unconhVd  thy  Throne. 
III. 
Thy  Glories  mine  of  wondrous  Size,. 

And  wondrous  large  thy  Grace  ; 
Immorra'i  Day  breaks  from  thine  £yes,. 
And  Gabriel  veils  hi3  Face. 
IV. 
Thine  EfTence  is  a  vail  Abyfs, 

Which   Angels  cannot  (bund, 
An  Oci-an  of  Infinities 

Where  all  our  Thoughts  are  drown'cL 
V. 
The  Myfberiea  of  Creation  iie 
Beneath   enlighten'd   Minds, 
Thoughts  can  afcerid  above  the  Sky, 
Anu  fiy  before  the  Winds. 
VI. 
Reaicn  may  grafp  the  raafiy  Hills, 

And  ftreteh  from  Pole  to  J&le, 
Bui  hall    rh;  .   Soffit  tills,. 

And  overloads  our  Sou:. 

VII. 


Sacred. to  Devotion,  &c.  41 

VII. 
In  vain  our  haughty  Reafon  ivvells, 

For  Nothing's  found   in   Thee 
But   Boundlefs   Unconceivables, 

And  vail   Eternity. 

ConfeJJion  and  Pardon. 
I. 

LAS,    my  aking   Heart ! 
Here  the  keen  Torment  lies ; 
It  racks  my  waking  Hours  with  Smart, 
And  frights  my  flumbring  Eyes. 

II. 
Guilt  will  be  hid  no  more, 
My  Griefs  take  vent  apace, 
The  Crimes  that  blot  my  Conscience  o'er 
Flulh  Crimfon  in  my  Face. 
III. 
My  Sorrows,  like  a  Flood, 
Impatient  of  Reftraint, 
Into  thy  Bofom,  O  my  God, 
Pour  out  a  long  Complaint. 

IV. 
This  impious  Heart  of  mine 
Could  once  defy  the  Lord, 
Could  ruih  with  Violence  on  te>  Sin, 
In  Prefence  of  thy  Sword. 

V. 
How  often  have  I  -Hood 
A  Rebel  to  the  Shies, 
The  Calls,  the  Tenders  of  a  God, 
And  Mercy's  loudeft  Cries  1 
VT. 
He  oifers  all  his  Grace, 
And  all  his  Heaven  to  me  ; 
Offers  !  but  'tis  to  fen felefs  Brafs, 
That  cannot  feel  nor  iee. 

VII. 
JESUS   the  Saviour  (lands 
To  court  me  from  above, 

And 


42  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  I. 

And  lool«  and  fpreads  his  wounded  Hands, 

And  fhews  the  Prints  of  Love. 
VIII. 

But  I,  a  flupid  Fool, 

How  long  have  I  withftood 
The  BleiTings  purchas'd  with  his  Soul 

And  paid  for  all  in  Blood  ? 
IX. 

The  heav'nly  Dove  came  down 

And  tcnder'd  me  his  Wings 
To  mount  me  upward  to  a  Crown, 

And  bright  immortal  Things. 

Lord,  I'm  afham'd  to  fay 

That  I  refus'd  thy  Dove, 
And  fent  thy  Spirit  griev'd  away 

To  his  own  Realms  of  Love. 
XI. 

Net  all  thine  heav'nly  Charms, 

Nor  Terrors  of  thy  Hand, 
Could  force  me  to  lay  down  my  Arms, 

And  bow  to  thy  Command. 
XII. 

Lord,  'tis  againfl  thy  Face 

My   Sins  like  Arrows  rife, 
And  yet,  and  yet  (O  matchlefs  Grace  !) 

Thy  Thunder  filent  lies. 

XIII. 

O  fliall  I  never  feel 

The  meltings  of  thy  Love  ? 
Am  I  of  fuch  Hell-harden'd  Steel 

That  Mercy  cannot  move  ? 
XIV. 

Now  for  one  powerful  Glance, 

Dear  Saviour,  from  thy  Face! 
This  Rebel  Heart  no  more  withitands, 

But  finks  beneath  thy  Grace* 
XV. 

O'ercome  by  dying  Love  I  fali, 

Here  at   thy    Crofs  I   lie  : 
And   throw  my  Flefh,  my  Soul,  my  Aft, 

And  weep,  and  love,  and  die. 

XVI. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,.  &c,  43 

XVI. 

"  Rife,  fays   the  Prince  of  Mercy,  rife, 
"  With  Joy  and  Pity  in  his  Eyes  ; 
4t  Rife,  and   beliold  my   wounded  Veins, 
"  Here  flows  the  Blood  to  wafh  thy  Stains. 

XVII. 
"  See  my  Great  Father  reconcil'd  :" 
He  faid.     And  lo,  the  Father  fmil'd  ; 
The  joyful  Cherubs   clap'd  their  Wings, 
And  founded  Grace  on  all  their  Strings. 

Young  Men  and  Maidens ,  Old  Men' and  Babes ,  praife 
ye  the  Lord,  Pial.  cxlviii.  12. 


SO  N  S  of  Adam,  bold   and  young, 
In  the  wild  Mazes   of  whofe  Veins 
A  Flood  of  fiery  Vigour   reigns, 
And  weilds  your  a&ive  Limbs,  with  hardy  Sinews  foung  ; 
Fall  proftrate  at  th'  Eternal  Throne 
Whence  your  precarious  Pow'rs  depend  ; 
Nor  fwell  as  if  your  Lives  were  all  your  own, 

But  choofe  your  Maker  for  your  Friend ; 
His  Favour  is  your  Life,  his  Arm  is  your  Support, 
His  Hand  can  ftretch  your  Days,  or  cut  your  Minutes  fhoit. 
II. 
Virgins,  who  roll  your  artful  Eyes, 
Ana  moot  delicious  Danger  thence  ; 
Swift  the  lovely   Lightning  flies, 
And  melts  our  Reafon  down  to  Senfe  ; 
Boaft  not  of  thofe  withering  Charms 
That  rnuft  yield  their  youthful  Grace 
To  Age  and  Wrinkles,  Earth  and  Worms  | 
But  love  the  Author  of  your  fmiiing  Face; 
That  heavenly  Bridegroom  claims  your  blooming  Hours  : 
O  make  it  your  perpetual  Care 
To  pleaie  that  Everlailing  Fair; 
His  Beauties  are  the  Sun,  and  but  the  Shade  is  yours. 
III. 
Infants,  whofe  different  Deftinies 
Are  wove  with  Threads  of  different  Size  ; 

But 


44  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

But  from   the  fame  Spring-tide  of  Tears, 
Commence  your  Hopes,  and  Joy?,  and  Fears, 
(A  tedious  Train  !)  and  date  your  following  Years  : 
Break  your  firit  Silence  in  his  Praiie 

Who  wrought  your  wondrous  Franve  ; 
With  Sounds  of  tendereft  Accent  raife 

Young  Honours  to  his  Name  ; 
And  confecrate  your  early  Days 
To  know  the  Pow'r  fupreme. 

IV.  ' 

Ye  Heads  of  venerable  Age, 
Juft  marching  off  the  mortal   Stage, 
Fathers,  whofe  vital  Threads  are  fpun 
As  long  a3  e'er  the  Glafs  of  Life  would  run, 

Adore  the  Hand  that  led  your  Way 
Thro'  flow'ry  Fields  a  fair  long  Summer's  Day  ; 
Gafp  out  your  Soul  in  Praifes  to  the  Sov'reign  Pow*r 
That  fet  your  Weft  fo  diliant  from  your  dawning  Hour. 

Flying  Fowl,  and  Creeping  Things,  praife  ye  the  Lord, 

Pfal.  cxiviii.   10. 

I. 

SWEET  Flocks,  whofe  foft  ennamelM  Wing 
Swift  and  gently  cleaves  the  Sky  : 
Whofe  charming  Notes  addrefs  the  Spring 
With  an  artkfe  Harmony. 
Lovely  Miruhch  of  the  Field, 
Who  in  leafv  Shadows  fir,  « 

And  your  wondrous  Stro&uwa  build, 
Awake  you;  tuneful  Voices  with  the   dawning  Light ; 
To  Nature's   God   your  firft  Devotions  pay, 

E'er  you  falute  the  rifmg  Day, 
Tis  he  calls  up  the  Sun,  and  gives  him  every  Ray. 
II. 
Serpents,  who  o'er  the  Meadows  Aide, 
And  wear  upon  your  mining  Back 
Num'rous  Ranks  of  gaudy  Pride, 
Which  thoufaud  mingling  Colours  ma^ke  ; 
Let  the  fierce  Glances  of  your  Eyes 
Rebate  their  baleful  Fire  : 

la 


Paired  io  Devotion,  &c.  45 

In  harmlefs  Play  twirl:  and  unfold 

The  Volumes  of  your  fcaly  Gold  : 
That  rich  Embroidery  of  your  gay  Attire, 

Proclaims  your  Make:  kind  and  wife. 
UL 

Infects  and  Mites,  of  rriean  Degree, 

That  fwarm  in  Myriads  o'er  the  Land, 

Moulded  by  Wifdom's  artful  Hand, 
And  cuiTu  and  painted  with  a  various  Die; 

In  your  innumerable  Forms 

Praife  him  that  wears  th'  Erhenai  Crown, 

And  bend  his  lofty  Counfels  down 
To  defpieable  Worms. 

The  Comptirifon  and  Complaint. 

I. 

NFINITE  Power,  Eternal  Lord, 
How  Sovereign  is  thy  Hand  ! 
All  Nature  rofe  t'  obey  thy  Word, 
And  moves  at  thy  Command. 
II. 
With  Heady  Ccurfe  thy'  fnining  Sun 

Keeps  his  appointed  Way  ; 
And  all  the  Hours  obedient  run 
The  Circle  of  the  Day. 

III. 
But  ah  !  how  wide  my  Spirit  flies, 

And  wanders  from  her  God  ! 
My  Soul  forgets  the  heavenly  Prize, 
Ana  treads  the  downward-Road. 
IV. 
The  raging  Fire,  and  ftormy  Sea, 

Perform  thine  awful  Will, 
And  every  Beafl  and  every  Tree, 
Thy  great  Deilgns  fulfil  : 
V. 
While  my  wild  Paffions  rage  within, 

Nor  thy  Commands  obey; 
And  Flefh  and  Senie,  enilav'd  to  Sin, 
■praw.my  belt  Thoughts  away. 

¥L 


46  LYRIC    POEM  S.        Book  I. 

VI. 

Shall  Creatures  of  a  meaner  Frame 

Pay  all  their  Dues  to  thee  ; 
Creatures,  that  never  knew  thy  Name, 
That  never  lov'd  like  me  ? 
VII. 
Great  God,  create  my  Soul  anew, 

Conform  my  Heart  to  thine, 
Melt  down  my  Will,  and  let  it  flow, 
.  And  take  the  Mould  Divine. 
VIII. 
Seize  my  whole  Frame  into  thy  Hand  ; 

Here  all  my  PowVs  I  bring  ; 
Manage  the  Wheels  by  thy  Command, 
And  govern  every  Spring. 

lAi 

Then  mall  my  Feet  no  more  depart, 

Nor  wandring  Senfes  rove  j 
Devotion  mail  be  all  my  Heart, 

And  all  my  Paflions  Love.  » 

X. 
Than  not  the  Sun  mail  more  than  I 

His  Maker's  Law  perform, 
Nor  travel  fwifter  thro'  the  Sky, 

Nor  with  a  Zeal  fo  warm. 

God  Supreme  and  Self-fufficient.     > 
I. 

WHAT  is  our  God,  or  what  his  Name 
Nor  Men  can- learn,  nor  Angels  teach  ; 
He  dwells  conceal'd  in  radiant  Flame, 
Where  neither  Eyes  nor  Thoughts  can  reach. 

The  Spacious  Worlds  of  heav'nly  Light, 
Compar'd  with  him,  how  fliort  they  fall  ? 
They  are  ton  dark,  and  He  too  bright, 
Nothing  are  they,  and   Gop  is  All. 

III. 
He  fpoke  the  wondrous  Word,  and  lo 
Creation  rofe  at  his  Command  ; 

"ML  Whirlwinds 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  47 

Whirlwinds  and  Seas  their  Limits  know, 
Bound  in  the  Hollow  of  his  Hand. 

IV. 
There  fefts  the  Earth,  there  roll  the  Spheres, 
There  Nature  leans,  and  feels  her  Prop : 
But  his   own  Self-fuHioience  bears 
The  Weight  of  his  own  Glories  up. 

V. 
The  Tide  of  Creatures  ebbs  and  flows, 
Meafuring  their  Changes  by  the  Moon  ; 
No  Ebb  his  Sea  of  Glory  knows ; 
His  Age  is  one  Eternal  Noon. 
s  VI. 

Then  fly,  my  Song,  an  endlefs  Round, 
The  lofty  Tune  let  Michael  raife  ; 
All  Nature  dwells  upon  the  Sound, 
But  we  can  ne'er  foril  the  Praife. 

JESUS   the  only  Saviour. 

I. 

/ID  AM,  our  Father  and  our  Head 

Tranfgreft ;  and  juilice  doom'd  us  Dead  : 
The  fiery  Law  fpeaks  all  Defpair, 
There's  no  Reprieve,  nor  Pardon  there. 

II. 
Call  a  bright  Council  in  the  Skies  ; 
"  Seraphs  the  Mighty  and  the  Wife, 
**  Say  what  Expedient  can  you  give, 
"  That  Sin  be  damn'd  and  Sinners  live  ? 

III. 
"  Speak,  are  you  ilrong  to  bear  the  Load, 
"  The  weighty  Vengeance  of  a  God  ? 
"  Which  of  you  loves  our  wretched  Race, 
"  Or  dares  to  venture  in  our  Place  r" 

IV. 
In  vain  we  aik  :  for  all  around 
Stands  Silence  thro'  the  heavenly  Ground  : 
There's  not  a  glorious  Mind  above 
Has  half  the  Strength,  or  half  the  Love, 


48  L  T  R  I  C    P  0  E  M  S9 

V. 
But,  O,  unutterable  Grace  ! 
Th'  Eternal    Son    takes  jdamh  Place  ; 
Pown  to  cur  World  the  Saviour  flies, 
Stretches  his  naked  Arms,    and  dies. 

VI. 
Juftice  was  pleas'd  to   bruife  the  God, 
And  pay  its  Wror.gs  with  heavenly   Blood  ; 
What  unknown  Racks   and  Pangs  he  bore  ! 
Then  rofc  :  The  Law  could  afk  no  more. 

VIE. 
Amazing  Work  !  look  down,  ye  Skies, 
Wonder  and  gaze  with  all   your  Eyes  ; 
Ye  heavenly  Thrones,  floop  from  above, 
And  bow  to  this  inyfterious   Love. 

VIII. 
See,  how  they  bend  !  See,  how  they  look  ! 
Long  they  had  read  th'  Eternal  Book, 
And  ftudied  dark  Decrees  in  vain, 
The  Crofs  and  CWt> ary  makes  them  plain. 

IX. 
New  they  are  ftruck  with  deep  Amaze, 
Each  with  his  Wings  conceals  his  Face  ; 
Nor  clap  their  founding  Plumes,  and  cry, 
The  Wijdom  of  a  DEITY! 

X 
Low  they  adore  th'  Incarnate  Son,  ' 

And  fing  the  Glories  he  hath  won  ; 
Sing  how  he  broke  our  Iron  Chains, 
How  deep  he  funk,  how  high  he  reigns. 

XI. 
Triumph  and  reign,  victorious  Lord, 
By  all  thy  framing  Hoits  ador'd  : 
And  fay,  dear  Conqueror,  fay,  how  long, 
E'er  we  fhall  rile  to  join  their  Song. 

XII. 
Lo,  from  afar  the  promised  Day 
Shines  with  a  well  diiiinguiih'd  Ray  ; 
But  my  wing'd  Paflion  hardly  bears 
Thefe  Lengths  of  flow  delaying  Years. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c...  49 

XIII. 
Send  down  a  Chariot  from   above, 
With  fiery  Wheels,  and  pav'd  with  Love ; 
Raife  me  beyond  th'  Ethereal    Blue, 
To  ling  and  love  as  Angels  do. 

Looking  upward* 

I. 

THE  Heavens  invite  mine  Eye, 
The  Stars  falute  me  round ; 
Father,  I  blufh,  I  mourn  to  lie 
Thus  groveling  on  the  Ground. 

My  warmer  Spirits  move, 

And  make  Attempts  to  fly ; 
I  wilh  aloud  for  Wings  of  Love 

To  raife  me  ftuft  and  high. 
III. 

Beyond  thofe  Cryftal  Vault?, 

And  all  their  fparkling  Balls ; 
They're  but  the  Porches  to  thy  Courts, 

And  Paintings  on  thy  Walls. 
IV. 

Vain  World,  farevvel  to  you  ; 

Heaven  is  my  native  Air  : 
I  bid  my  Friends  a  fhort  Adieu, 

Impatient  to  be  there. 

V. 

I  feel  my  Powers  releaft 

From  their  old  flefhy  Clod  ; 
Fair  Guardian,  bear  me  up  in  hafte 

Ana  fet  me  near  my   God. 

Christ    Dying,  Ri/ing,  and  Reigning, 

I. 

HE  dies  !  the  beav'nly  Lover  dies ! 
The  Tidings  ftrike  a  doleful  Sound 
On  my  poor  Heart-firings  :  deep  he  lies 
In  the  cold  Caverns  of  the  Ground, 


53  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,        Book  L 

II. 
Gome,  Saints,  and  drop  a  Tear  or  two, 
On  the  dear  Bofom  of  your   God, 
He  fhed  a  thoufand  Drops  for  you, 
A  thoufand  Drops  of  richer  Blood. 

III. 
Here's  Love  and  Grief  beyond  degree, 
The  Lord  of  Glory  dies  for  Men  ! 
But  lo !  what  fudden  Joys  I  fee  ! 
JESUS  the  dead  revives  again. 

IV. 
The  rifing  God  forfakes  the  Tomb, 
Up  to  his  Father's  Court  he  flies  ; 
Cherubic  Legions  guard  him  Home, 
.And  fhout  him  welcome  to  the  Skies. 

V. 
Break  off  your  Tears,  ye  Saints,  and  tell 
How  high  our  Great  Deliverer  reigns  ; 
Sing  how  he  fpoil'd  the  Hofts  of  Hell, 
And  led  the  Monfter  Death  in  Chains. 

VI. 
Say,  Live  for  ever,  wondrous  King  ! 
Born  to  Redeem,  and  ftrong  to  fave  ! 
Then  afc   the  Monfter,  Where's  his  Sting? 
J.nd  vjhereys  thy   ViElory,  hoofing  Grave  ? 

The  God   of  Thunder, 

I. 

OTHE  Immenfe,  th'  Amazing  Height, 
The  boundlefs  Grandeur  of  our   God, 
"Wiio  treads  the  Worlds  beneath  his  Feet, 
And  fways  the  Naiicns  with  his  Nod  ! 

II. 
He  fpeaks ;  and  lo,  all  Nature  makes, 
Heav'ns  everlafting  Pillars  bow  ; 
He  rends  the  Clouds  with  hideous  Cracks, 
And  (hoots  his  hery  Arrows  through. 

111. 
Well,  let  the  Nations  Hart  and  fly 
At  the.  b'ue  Lightning'?  horrid  Glare, 

AtheiUs 


Sacnd  to  Devqt jo n,  &e.    ■  O 

Atheifts  and  Emperors  fhrink  and  die, 

When  Flame  and  Noife  torment  the  Air.  . 

IV. 
let  Noife  and  Flame  confound  the  Skies, 
And  drown  the  fpaciousRealms  below, 
Yet  will  we'fing  the  Thunderer's  Praife, 
And  fend  our  loud  Ho/annas  through. 

V.  | 

Celeftial  King,  thy  blazing  Power 
Kindles  our  Hearts  to  flaming  Joys, 
We  fhout  to  hear  thy  Thunders  roar, 
And  echo  to  our  Father's  Voice. 

VI. 
Thus  mail  the  God  our  Saviour  come, 
And  Lightnings  round  his  Chariot  play, 
Ye  Lightnings,  fly  to  make  him  room, 
Ye  glorious  Storms,  prepare  his  Way. 

The  Day  of  Judgment, 

An    ODE. 

Attempted  in  Englijh  Sapphick. 

I. 

WHEN  the  fierce  North  Wind  with  his  airy  Forces 
Rears  up  the  Baltick  to  a  foaming  Fury ; 
And  the  red  Lightning,  with  a  Storm  of  Hail  come 

Rufhing  amain  down. 
IT. 
How  the  poor  Sailors  Hand  amazM  and  tremble  !      .    - 
While  the   hoarfe  Thunder,  like  a  bloody  Trumpet, 
Roars  a  loud   Onfet  to  the  gaping  Waters 

Quick  to  devour  them.' 
III. 
Such  (hall  the  Noife  be,  and  the  wild  Diforder, 
(If  Things  Eternal  may  be"  like  thefe  Earthly) 
ouch  the  dire  Terror  when  the  great  Archangel 

Shakes  the  Creation  % 
IV. 
Tears  the  ftrong  Pillars  of  the  Vault  of  Heaven, 
Breaks  up  old  Marble,  the  Repofe  of  Prince*  j 
3ee  the  Graves  open,  and  the  Bones  ariiing, 

Flames  ail  around  'em  I 


5*  LTRICPOEMS,         Book  I. 

V. 

Hark,  the  mrill  Outcries  of  the  guilty  Wretches ! 

Lively  bright  Horror,  and  amazing  Anguifh, 

Stare  thro*  their  Eye-lids,  while  the  living  Worm  lies 

Gnawing  within  them. 
VI. 
Thoughts,  like  old  Vultures,  prey  upon  their  Heart-firings, 
And   he  Smart  twinges,  when  the  Eye  beholds  the 
Lofty  Judge  frowning,  and  a  Flood  of  Vengeance 

Rolling  afore  him. 
VII. 
Hopelefs  Immorta's !  how  they  fcream  and  Ihiver 
While  Devils  pufh  them  to  the  Pit  wide-yawning 
Hideous  and  gloomy  to  receive  them  headlong 

Down  to  the  Centre, 
VIII. 
Stop  here,  my  Fancy  :  (all  away,  ye  horrid 
Doler .   Ideas,)  come,  arife  to   JESUS, 
How  nt  fits  God-like  !  and  the  Saints  around  him 

Thron'd,  yet  adoring  ! 

O  may  I  fit  there  when  he  comes  Triumphant, 
Dooming  the  Nations  !  then  afcend  to  Glory, 
While  our  Ho/annas  all  along  the  PafTage 

Shout  the  Redeemer. 

The  Song  of  Angels  above, 

EARTH   has  detain'd  me  Prifoner  long, 
And  rm  grown  weary  now  : 
My~  Heart,  my  Hand,  my  Ear,  my  Tongiie, 
'  There's  nothing  here  for  you. 

Tir'd  in  my  Thoughts  I  ftretch  me  down, 

And  upward  glance  mine  Eyes  ; 
Upward  (my  'Father)   to  thy  Throne, 

And    to    my   native    Skies. 

MI,    .. 
There  the  dear   IVf  a  n   my  Saviour  fits,   . 

The  God,    how  bright  he   mines  ! 
Ana  fcatters  iniitiire  Delights 

On  ail  the  happy  M hit's, 

IV. 


Sacred  U  Devotion,  &c.  id 

IV. 

Seraphs  with  elevated  Strains 

Circle  the  Throne  around, 
And  move  and  charm  the'  ftarry  Plains 

With  an  Immortal  Sound.  * 

V. 
JESUS  the  Lord  their  Harps  employ;, 

JESUS  my  Love  they  fing, 
JESUS  the  Name  of  both  our  joys 

Sounds  Tweet  from  every  String. 
VI. 
Hark,  liow  beyond  the  narrow  Bounds 

Of  Time  and  Space  they  run, 
And  fpeak  in  moll  MajefHck  Sounds, 

The  Godhead  of  the  S  o  n. 
VII 
How  on  the  Father's  Bread  he  lay, 

The  Darling  of  his   Soul, 
Infinite  Years  before  the  Day 

Or  Heavens  began  to  roll. 

VIII. 
And  now  they  fink  the  lofty  Tone, 

And  gentler  Notes  they  play, 
And  bring  th'  Eternal  Godhead  down 

To  dwell  in  humble  Clay. 
IX. 
O  facred  Beauties  of  the   M  a  n  1 . 

(The  God  reiides  within.) 
His  Flefh  all  pure,  without  a  Stain, 

His  Soul  without  a  Sin. 

X. 
Then,  how  he  look'd,  and  how  he  fmil'd, 

What  wondrous  Things  he  laid  ! 
Sweet  Cherubs,  Hay,  dvvejl  here  a  while, 

And  tell  what  JESUS   did. 
XI. 
At  his  Command  the  Blind  awake, 

And  feel  the  gladfome  Rays  ; 
He  bids  the  Dumb  attempt  to  fpeak, 

They  try  their  Tongues  in  Praife. 

D  3  XIL 


54  L  T  R  1  C    P  0  E  M  $,         Book  I. 

XII. 
He  med  a  thoufand  Bleflings  round 

When-e'er  he  turn'd  his  Eye  ; 
He  fpoke,  and  at  the  Sovereign  Sound 

The  kellifh  Legions  fly. 

Thus  while  with  unambitious  Strife 

Th'  Ethereal  Minftpels  rove 
Thro'  all  the  Labours  of  his  Life, 
And  Wonders  of  his  Love. 
XIV. 
In  the  full  Choir  a  broken  String 
Groans  with  a  flrange  Surprize; 
The  reft  in  Silence  mourn  their  King, 
That  bleeds,  and  loves,  and  dies. 
XV. 
^Seraph  and  Saint,  with  drooping  Wings, 

Ceafe  their  harmonious  Breath  ; 
,!No  blooming  Trees,   nor  bubbling  Springs 
While  J£SUS  fleeps  in  Death. 
XVI. 
Then  all  at  once  to  living  Strains 

They  fummon  every  Chord, 
Break  up  the  Tomb,  and  burft  his  Chaimr, 
And  fhew  their  riling  Lord. 
XVII. 
Around  the  flaming  Army  throngs 

To  guard  him  to  the  Skies, 
With  loud  Ho/annas  on  their  TonguftS> 
And  Triumph  in  their  Eyes. 
XVIII. 
Jn  awful  State  the  conquering  Gob 

Afcends  his  fhining  Throne, 
While  tuneful  Angels  found  abroad 
The  VicVries  he  has  won. 

XIX. 
Now  let  me  rife,  and  join  their  Song, 

And  be  an  Angel  too ; 
My  Heart,  my  Hand,  my  Ear,  my  Tongue, 
Here's  joyful  Work  for  you. 

XX. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c*  55 

XX. 

I  would  begin  the  Mufick  here, 

And  fo  my  Soul  mould  rife  : 
Oh  for  fome  heavenly  Notes  to  bear 

My  Spirits  to  the  Skies  ! 

xxi. 

There,  ye  that  love  my  Saviour,  fit, 

There  I  would  fain  have  place, 
Amongft  your  Thrones,  or  at  your  Fect? 

So  I  might  fee  his  Face. 

XXII. 
I  am  confin'd  to  Earth  no  more, 

But  mount  in  hafte  above, 
To  blefs  the  God  that  I  adore, 

And  fing  the  M  a  n    I  love. 

Fire9  Air%  Earth  and  Sea,  praife  yey  the  Laaj). 

I. 
P  JRTH,  thou  great  Footftool  of  our  Goo 
*~*  Who  reigns  on  high  ;  thou  fruitful  Source 
Of  all  our  Raiment,  Life  and  Food  ; 
Our  Houfe,  our  Parent,  and  our  Nurfe  % 
Mighty  Stage  of  Mortal   Scenes, 
Drefl  with  ftrcng  and  gay  Machines, 
Hung  with  golden  Lamps  around  ; 
(And  How'ry  Carpets  fpread  the  Ground) 
Thou  bulky  Globe,  prodigious  Mafs, 
That  hangs  unpillar'd  in  an  empty  Space  ! 
While  the  unweildy  Weight  refts  on  the  feeble  Air, 
Blefs  that  Almighty  Word  that  fix'd  and  holds  thee  there* 
II. 
Fire,  thou  fwift  Herald  of  his  Face, 
Whofe  glorious  Rage,  at  his   Command, 
Levels  a  Palace  with  the  Sand, 
Blending  the  lofty  Spires  in  Ruin  with  the  Bate  : 
Ye  heav'nly  Flames,  that  finge  the  Air, 
Artillery   of  a  jealous   God, 
Bright  Arrows  that  his  founding  Quivers  bear 

To  fcatter  Deaths  abroad  ; 
Lightnings,  adore  the  fovereign  Arm  that  flings 
His  Vengeance,  and  your  Fires,  upon  the  Heads  of  King*. 

III. 


56  LTRICPOEMS,        Book  I. 

III. 

Thou  vital  Element,  the   Air, 

Whofe  boundlefs  Magazines  of  Breath 

Our  fainting  Flame  of  Life  repair, 
And  fave  the  Bubble  Man  from  the  cold  Arms  of  Death  : 
And  ye,  whofe  vital  Moiiture  yields 

Life's  purple  Stream  a  frelh  Supply  ; 
Sweet  Waters,    wandring  thro'  the  flow'ry  Fields, 

Or  dropping  from  the  Sky  ; 
Confefs  the  Pow'r  whofe  all-fufficient  Name 
Nor  needs  your  Aid  to  build,  or  to  fupport  our  Frame. 
IV. 

Now   the  rude  Air  with   noify  Force, 

Beats   up  and  fwells  the   angry  Sea, 

They  join  to  make   our    Lives  a   Prey, 

And   fweep   the  Sailors   Hopes  away, 
Vain   Hopes,  to  reach  their  Kindred  on  the  Shores ! 

Lo,  the  wild  Seas  and   forging  Waves 

Gape   hideous  in  a  thoufand  Graves  : 
Be  full,  ye  Floods,  and  know  vour  Bounds  of  Sand, 

Ye   Storms,  adore  your  Matter's  Hands  j 
The  Winds  are  in  his  Fill,  the  Waves  at  his  Command. 
V. 

From  the  Eternal  Emptinefs 

His  fruitful  Word  by  fecret  Springs 

Drew  the  whole  Harmony  of  Things 

That  form   this   noble  Univerfe  : 

Old  Nothing  knew  his  pow'rful  Hand, 

Scarce  had  he  fpoke  his  full  Command. 
Fire,  Air,  and  Earth,  and  Sea  heard  the  creating  Call, 
And  leap'd  from  empty  Nothing  to  this  beauteous  All ; 

And  ftill  they  dance,  and  ftill  obey 
The  Orders  they  receiv'd  the  great  Creation-Day. 

The  FareweL 
I. 

DEAD   be  my  Heart  to  all   below, 
To  mortal  Joys  and  mortal   Cares ; 
To  fenfual  Blils  that  charms  us  fo 
Be  dark,  my  Eyes,  and  deaf,  my  Ears. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.       .  •       57 

II. 
Here,  I  renounce  my  carnal  Taile 
Of  the  fair  Fruit  that  Sinners  prize  : 
Their  Paradife  inall  never  wafte 
One  Thought  of  mine,  but  to  defpife. 

III. 
All  earthly  Joys  are  over-weigh'd 
With  Mountains  of  vexatious  Care  ; 
And  where 's  the  Sweet  that  is   not  laid 
A  Bait  to  fome  deftruclive  Snare  ? 

IV. 
Be  gone  for  ever,  Mortal  Things  ! 
Thou  mighty  Mole-Hill,  Earth,  Farewel !    • 
Angels  afpire  on  lofty  Wings, 
And  leave  the  Globe  for  Ants  to  dwell. 

t. 
Come  Heaven,  and  fill  my  vaft  Deiires, 
My  Soul  purfues  the  fovereign  Good  : 
She  was  all  made  of  heavenly  Fires, 
Nor  can  me  live  on  meaner  Food. 

God  only  known  to  kimjelf. 
I.      / 

STAND  and  adore  !  how  glorious  He 
That  dwells  in  bright  Eternity  ! 
We  gaze,  and  we  confound  our  Sight 
Plung'd  in  th'  Abifs  of  dazlinp-  Light. 

II. 
Thou  facred  One,   Almighty   Three, 
Great  Everlailing   My  steely, 
What  lofty  Numbers  fhall  we  frame 
Equal  to  thy  tremendous  Name? 

III. 
Seraphs,  the  neareft  to  the  Throne, 

Begin,  and  fpeak  the  Great  Unknown  :  '    •. 

.Attempt  the  Song,    wind  up  your  Strings, 
t  To  Notes  untry'd,  and  bouadlefs  Things. 
IV. 
You,  whofe  capacious  Pow'rs  furvey 
Largely  beyond  cur  Eyes  of  Clay  : 
Yet  what  a  narrow  Portion  too  -   ~ 

Is  feen,  or  known,   or  thought  bv  vou  ? 

V.- 


w  i&  w  "at 


58  I  T  R  I  C    P  O  E  M  $         Book  I 

How  flat  your  higher!  Praifes  fall 
Below  th'  imraenfe  Original  ! 
Weak  Creatures  we,   that  itrive  in  vain 
To  reach  an  uncreated  Strain  ! 
VI. 
Great   God,  forgive,  our  feeble  Lay?, 
Sound  out  thine  own  eternal  Praiie ; 
A  bong  fo  vaft,  a  Theme  10  high. 
Calls  for  the  Voice  that  tun'd  the  Sky. 

Pardon  and  Salification* 

I. 

Y  Crimes  awake ;  and  hideous  Fear 
Diftracts  my  reftlefs  Mind, 
Guilt  meets  my  Eyes  with  horrid  GlareK 
And  Hell  purfues  behind. 
II. 
Almighty  Vengeance  frowns  on  high, 

And  Flames  array  the  Throne  ; 
While  Thunder  murmurs  round  the  SkyK 
Impatient  to  be  gone. 

nr. 

Where  (hall  I  hide  this  roxious  Head  ; 

Can  Rocks  or  Mountains  fave  ? 
Or  fhall  I  wrap  me  in  the  Shade 

Of  Midnight  and  the  Grave  ? 
IV. 
Is  there  no  Shelter  from  the  Eye 

Of  a  revenging  God  ? 
JE  8  US,  to  thy  dear  Wounds  I  fly, 

Bt  dew  me  with  thy  Blood. 
V. 
T.hofe  Guardian  Drops  my  Soul  fecure* 

And  wem  away  my  Sin  ; 
Eternal  Juftice  fro  -.ns  no  more, 

And  Conference  imjles  within. 
VI. 
j  ■ :.  fs  that  wondrous  Purple  Stream 

Tbai  whuens  every  Stain; 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  59 

Yet  is  my  Soul  but  half  redeem'd, 

If  Sin  the  Tyrant  reign. 

VII. 
Lord,  biait  his  Empire  with  thy  Breath, 

That  curfcd  Throne  mult  fall  ; 
Ye  flattering  Plagues  that  work  my  Death, 

Fly,   for  I  hate  you  alL 

Sovereignty  and  Grace* 
I. 

THE  Lord!  how  fearful  is  his  Name  ? 
How  u.  ide  is  his  Command  ? 
Nature,  with  all  her  moving  Frame, 
Refts  on  his  mighty  Hand. 
II. 
Immortal  Glory  forms  his  Throne, 

And  Light  his  awful  Robe  ; 
Whilft  with  a  Smile,  or  with  a  Frown, 
He  manages   the  Globe. 

iir. 

A  Word  of  his   Almighty  Breath 

Can  fwell  or  fink  the  Seas ;       -    - 
Build  the  vaft  Empires  of  the  Earth, 

Or  break  them  as  he  pleafe,. 

IV.  -■■"_  .; 

Adoring  Angel's  round  him  fall 

In  all  their  Alining  Forms,."  '      : 

His  fovereign  Eye  looks  thro'  them  all;, 

And  pities  mortal  Worms.. 
V.. 
His  Bowels,  to  our  worthlefs  Race,  •  " 

In  fweet  Companion  move  ; 
He  cloaths  his  Looks  with  fofteft  Grace, 

And  takes  his  Title,  Love. 
VI. 
Now  let  the  Lord  for  ever  reign, 

And  fway  us  as  he  will, 
Sick,  or  in  Health,  in  Eafe,  or  Pain, 

We  are  his  Favourites  fall, 

VXL 


60  L  T  R  I  C    P  0  E  M  S.        Book  I, 

VII. 
No  more  fliall  peevifh  Paflion  rife,  • 

The  Tongue  no  more  complain  ; 
?Tis  fovereign  Love  that  lends  our  Joys, 

And  Love  refumes  again. 

The  Law  and  GofpeL 


"  f^i  U  R  S  T  be  the  Man,   for  ever  curft, 
\^j  M,  That  doth  one  wilful  Sin  commit ; 
"  Death  and  Damnation  for  the  Firfc, 
"  Without  Relief  and  Infinite. 

II. 
Thus    Sinai  roars  ;  and  round  the  Earth 
Thunder,  and  Fire,  and  Vengeance  flings ; 
But  JESUS,    thy  dear  gafping  Breath, 
And  Calvary,  fay  gentler  Things. 

III. 
*l  Pardon,  and  Grace,  and  boundlefs  Love, 
**  Streaming  along  a  Saviour's  Blood, 
*'  And  Life  and  Joys,  and  Crowns  above, 
*l  Dear-purchas'd  by  a  bleeding  God. 

IV. 
Hark,  how  he  prays,  (the  charming  Sound 
Dwells  on  his  dying  Lips)   Forgive  ; 
And  every  Groan,  and  gaping  Wound, 
Cries,  "  Father,  let  the  Rebels  live. 

V. 
Go,  you  that  reft  upon  the  Law, 
And  toil,  and  feek  Salvation  there, 
Look  to  the  Flames   that  Mofes  faw, 
And  fhrink,  and  tremble,  and  defpair. 

VL 
But  I'll  retire  beneath  the  Crofs, 
Saviour,  at  thy  dear  Feet  I  lie  ; 
And   the  keen  Sword  that  Juftice  draws, 
Flaming  and  red,  fhall  pafs  me  by. 

Seeking 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c,  6i 

Seeking  a  divine  Cahn  in  a  reftlefs  World, 

0  Mens,  quae  ftabili  fata  Regis  vice,  &c. 

Cafmire  Book  III.  Od.  28. 
I. 

ETERNAL  Mind,  who  rul'ft  the  Fates 
Of  eying  Realms,  and  riling  States, 
With  one  anchang'd  Decree, 
While  we  admire  thy  vail  Affairs, 
Say,  can  our  little  trifling  Cares 
Afford  a  Smile  to  thee  r 

II. 
Thou  fcatterefl:  Honours,  Crowns  and  Gold  ; 
We  fly  to  feize,  and  fight  to  hold 

The  Bubbles  and   the  Oar : 
So  Emmets  itruggle  for  a  Grain  ; 
So  Boys  their  petty  Wars  maintain 
For  Shells  upon  the  Shore. 

m. 

Here  a  vain  Man  his  Scepter  breaks, 
The  next  a  broken  Scepter  takes, 

And  Warriors  win  and  lofe  ; 
This  rolling  World  will  never  ftand, 
Plunder'd  and  fnatch'd  from  Hand  to  Hand, 

As  Power  decays  or  grov-s.  • 

•  IV' 
Earth's  but  an  Atom  :  Greedy  Swords 

Carve  it  amongil  a  thoufand  Lords, 

And  yet  they  can't  agree  : 

Let  greedy  Swords  Hill  fight  and  flay, 

1  can  be  poor  ;  but  Lord,  I  pray 
To  fit  and  fmile  with  thee. 

#$$**$«**-$*'*$*-#  *  ^  #  •&  £  * 
Happy  Frailty. 
I. 
"  T  T  O  W  -meanly  dwells  th'  Immortal  Mind  I 

JTjL   "  How  vile  thefe  Bodies  are  ! 
"  Why  was  a  Clod  of  Earth  defign'd 
"  T'  euclofe.  a  heaVenly  Star  I 

II. 


62  L  TR  I  C    POEMS,  Book  I.. 

IL 

"  Weak  Cottage  where  our  Souls  refide  1 

"  This  Flefh  a  tott'ring  Wall  ; 
M  With  frightful  Breaches  gaping  wide 

"  The  Building  bends  to  fall. 
III. 
"  All  round  it  Storms  of  Trouble  blow, 
*    "  And  Waves  of  Sorrow  roll  ; 
"  Coid  Wave*  and  Winter  Storms  beat  through,. 

"  And  pain  the  Tenant-Soul. 
IV. 
"  Alas  !  how  frail  our  State  !"  faid  I  ; 

And  thus  went  mourning  on, 
Tili  hidden  from  the  cleaving  Sky 

A  Gleam  of  Glory  fhone. 
V 
My  Soul  all  felt  the  Glory  come, 

And  breath'd  her  Native  Air  ; 
Then  (he  remember'd  Heaven  her  Home, 

And  ihe  a  Prifoner  here. 

VI. 
Straight  (he  began  to  change  her  Key* 

And  joyful  in  her  Pains, 
She  fung  the  Frailty  of  her  Clay 

In  pleafurable  Strains. 

VII. 
u  How  weak  the  Pris'n  is  wnere  I  dwell  t 

"  Flefh  but   a  tottering  Wall, 
A<  The  Breaches  chearfuliy  foretell 

"  The  Houfe  mult  fnortlv  fall. 
VIII. 
M  No  more,  my  Friends,  mail  I  complain* 

"  Tho'  all  my  Heart-ftnngs  ake  ; 
«*  Welcome  Difeafe,  and  every  Pain, 

"  That  makes  the  Cottage  make. 
IX. 
"  Now  let  the  Temper*  blovv  all  round, 

**  Now  fwell  the  Surges  high, 
«*  And  beat  this  Houfe  of  Bondage  dowi>5 

"  To  kc  the  Stranger  fly. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  63 

X. 

I  have  a  Manfion  built  above 

"  By  the  Eternal  Hanxi ; 
««  And  fliould  the  Earth's  old  Bails  move* 

gi  My  Heay'nly  Houfe  muft  ftand*. 
XI. 
f*  Yes,  for  'tis  there  my  Saviour  reigns> 

**  (I  long  to  fee  the  God) 
**  And  his  immortal  Strength  fuftains 

"  The  Courts  that  colt  him  BI00.& 

xir. 

Hark,  from  on  high  my  Saviour  calls  * 

"  I  come  my  Lord,   my  Love  :" 
Devotion  breaks  the  Prifon-Walls,, 

And  fpeeds  my  laft  Remove* 

Launching  hits  Eternity. 
T  was  a  brave  Attempt !  adventurous  He, 


1 


Who  in  the  firil  Ship  broke  the  unknown  Sea:. 
And  leaving  his  dear  native  Shores  behind*. 
Trufted  his  Eife  to  the  licentious  Wind'. 
1  fee  the  furging  Brine  :  the  Tempe ft  raves  .- 
He  on  a  Pine- Plank  rides  acrofs  the  Waves, 
Exulting  on  the  Edge  of  thoufand  gaping  Graves  : 
He  fteers  the  winged  Beat,  and  (hifts  the  Sails,, 
Conquers  the  Flood,  and  manages  the  Gales. 

Such  is  the  Soul  that  leaves  this-  mortal  Land 
Fearlefs  when  the  great  Mafter  gives  Command.. 
Death  is  the  Storm, ;  She  fmiles  to  heaF  it  roar, 
And  bids  the  Tempeir,  waft  her  from  the  Shore ;; 
Then  with  a  fkilful  Helm  ihe  fweeps  the  Seas, 
And  manages  the  raging  Storm  with  Eafe; 
(Her  Faith  can  govern.  Death)  ihe  fpreads  her  Wings 
Wide  to  the  Wind,  and  as  me  fails  fne  tings* 
And  lofes  by  Degrees  the  fight  of  mortal  Things. 
As  the  Shores  leifen,  To  her  Joys  arife, 
The  Waves  roll  gentler,  and  the  Tempeft  dies, 
Now  vaft  Eternity  fills,  aii  her  Sight, 
She  floats  on  the  broad  Deep  with  infinite  Delight,. 
TJie  Seas  for  ever  calm,  the  Skies  for  ever  bright. 

A  Profpsgt 


\ 


64  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  I. 

A  Profptfi  of  the  Refurreftion. 

I. 

HO  W   long  mail  Death   the  Tyrant  reign 
And  triumph  o'er  the  juii, 
While  the  rich   Bl.-od    of  ".Viunyrs  flain 
Lies  mingled  with  the  Luft  ? 
II. 
When  fhall  the  teaious  Night  he  gone  ? 

When    will   :  ur   Loud    appear? 
Our  fond  xJ^.i  res    w'i  uld  pray  him  down, 
Our   Love  embrace  him  here. 
III. 
Let  Faith   arife  and  climb   the  Hills, 

And  from  afar  defcry 
How  diftant  are  his  Chariot- Wheels, 
And   tell  how  fall  thev  fly. 
IV. 
Lo,  I  behold  the  featuring  Shades, 

The  Dawn  of  Heav'n  appears, 
The  fweet  immortal  Morning  fpreads 
Its  Blulhes  round  the  Spheres. 
V. 
I  fee   the   Lord   of  Glory   come, 

And  flaming  Guards  around  : 
The  Skies  divide  to  make  him  Room, 
The  Trumpet  makes  the  Ground. 
VI. 
I  hear  the  Voice,  Te  dead  arife, 

And  lo,  the  Graves  obey, 
And  waking  baints  with  joyful  Eyes 
Salute  th'  expe&ed  Day. 

VII. 
They  leave  the  Dud,  and  on  the  Wing 

Rife  to  the  middle  Air, 
In  Ihining  Garments  meet  their  Kfing, 
And  low  adore  him  there. 
VIII. 
O  may  my  humble  Spirit  Hand 
Amongit  them  cloth'd  in  White ! 

The 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  65 

The  meaneft  Place  at  his  Right  Hand 

Is  iniinke  Delight. 

IX. 
How  will  our  Joy  and  Wonder  rife, 

When  our  returning  King 
Shall  bear  us  homeward  thro'  the  Skies 

On  Loves   triumphant  Wing  ! 

.#########■############ 

Ad  Dominion  No/frUm  ■'&  Servitor  em 

JESUM  CHRISTUM. 

O'D  A. 

I 

TE,  grande  Numen,  Corporis  Incola, 
Te,  magna  magni  Progenies  Pairis, 
Nomen  verendum  noftri  J  E  S  U 
Vox,  Cicharas,  Calami  fonabunt. 
U. 
Aptentur  auro  grandifonae  fides, 
CHRIST  I  Triumphps  incipe  Barbite, 
Fraclofque  terrores  Averts, 

Vi&um  Erehum,  domitamque  Mortem. 
III. 
Immenfa  vaftos  Aecula  circulos 
Volvers,  blando   dum  Patris  in  finu 
Toto  fruebatur   JEHOVAH 
Guadia  mille  bibens   JESUS', 
IV. 
Donee  fuperno  vidit  ab  ^Ethere 
Adam  cadentem,  Tartara  hiantia, 
Unaque  mergendos  ruina 

Heu  nimium  miferos  Nepotes  : 

¥: 

Vidit  minaces  Vindicis  Angeli 
Ignes  &  Enfem,  Telaque  Sanguine 
Tingenda  noitro,  dum  rapinse 
Spe  fremuere  Erobcea  Monftra. 
VI. 
Commota  facras  Viicera  portinus 
Sensere  fiammas,  Omnipotens  furor 
Ebullit,  Immenfique  Amoris 
iEthereum  calet  Igne  Pe&us. 

VII, 


66  L  r  R  1  C    P  0  E  M  S,         Book  fl 

VII. 
"  Non  tota  prorfus  Gens  Hominum  dabit 
4<  Hofti  Triumphos :  Quid  Patris  &  Labor 
4i  Dulcifque  Imago  r  nam  puribunt 
M  Funditus  ?  O  prius  Aftra  caecis. 
VIII. 
■•  Mergantur  Undis,  &  redeat  Chaos  : 
•'  Aut  ipfe  difperdam  Satance  dolos, 
"  Aut  ipfe  difperdar,  &  ifti 

"  Sceptra  dabo  moderanda  dextras. 
IX. 
•«  Tefior  paternum  Numen,  &  hoc  Caput 
«*  Equate  teftor,  dixit ;  &  vEtheria 
Inclinat  ingecs  culmen,   ako 
Ddilitque  ruens  Olympo. 
X. 
Mortale  corpus  impiger  induit 
Artufque  noilros,  heu  tenues  nimil 
Nemifque  viles !   Vinpicique 
Cor  da  dedit  fodienda  Ferro. 
XI. 
Vitamque  Morti ;   Proh  dolor  !   O  graves 
'Tona-ndis  Irae !    O  Lex  fatis  afpera  ! 
Mercefque  Peccati  fevera 
Adamici,   vetitique  truclus. 
XII. 
Non  Poena  lenis !   Quo  ruis  impotens ! 
Quo  Mufa  !   largas   fundere  lachrymas, 
Buftique  Divini  triumphos 
Sacrilcgo  temerare  rletu  ? 
XIII. 
Sepone  queflus,  la^ta  Deum   cane 
Majore  Chorda.     Pfalle  fonorius 
Ut  ferreas  Mortis  cavernas 
Et  rigidam  penetravit  Aulam. 
XIV. 
Senfere  Numen  Regna  feralia, 
Mugit  Barathrum,  contremuit  Chaos, 
Dirum  t'remebat  Rex  Gebenneey 
Perqae  fuum  tremebundus  Orcum. 

XV. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  6^ 

XV. 

Late  refuglt.     "  Nil  agis  Impie, 
Mergat  vel  imis  te  Phlegethon  vadis, 
"  Hoc  findet  undas  Fulmen,  inqui£, 
Et  patrios  jacuiatus  ignes. 
XVI. 

Trajecit  hoftem.     Nigra  filentia 
Umbrasque  flammas  ^Ethereas  pavent 
Dudum  perofa;,  ex  quo  corufcq 
Pra?cipites  cecidere  Ccelo. 

xvn. 

Tmmane  rugit  jam  Tonitru  ;  fragor 
Late  ruinam  mandat :  ab  inrimis 
Le&aque  defignata  Genti 
Tartara  disjiciuntur  antris. 
XVIII. 
Heic  ftrata  paffim  Vincula,  &  heic  ja'cent 
Unci  cruenti,  Tormina  Mentium 
Invifa ;  ploratuque  vaflo 

Spicula  Mors  iibi  adempta  plangit, 
XIX. 
En,  ut  refurgit  Vidlor  ab  ultimo 
Ditis  profundo,  curribus  aureis 
A&ridta  raptans  Monftra  no&is 
Perdomitumque  Erebi  Tyrannum, 
XX. 
Quanta  Angelorum  gaudia  jubilant 
Victor  pater num  dum  repetit  polum  ? 
En  qualis  ardet,  dum  beati 

Limina  fcandit  Ovans  Olympi ! 
XXI. 
Io  triumphe  pleclra  Seraphica, 
h  triumphe  Grex  Hominum  fonet, 
Dum  iaeta  quaquaverfus  ambos 
Arlra  repercutiant  Triumphos. 

Sui-ipftus  Increpatlo* 
EPIG  R  A  M  M  A. 

CORP  ORE  cur  haeres,  Wattfi?  cur  Incola  Terra? 
Quid  cupis  indignum,  Mens  habha/e  lutmn  I 

TV 


68  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I 

Te  Caro  mille  malis  premit;  hinc juvenes  gravat  artus 

Languor,  &  hinc  vegetus  crimina  languis  alit. 
Cura,    Amor,   Ira,  Dolor  mentem  male  diltrahit ;  Auceps 

Undique  adeft  Satanas  retiafasva  ftruens. 
Sufpice  ut  ^Ethcrtrum  fignant  tibi  nutibus  Afira 

Tramitem,  &  Aula  vocat  parta  Cruore  Dei. 
Te  manet  Uriel  dux  ;  &  tibi  iubjicit  alas 

Stellatas  Seraphin  officiufa  cohors. 
Te  Superum  Chorus  optac  amans,  te invitat  J E  S  US, 

"  Hue  ades  and  noflro  tempora  conde  iinu. 
Vere  amat  ille  Latum  quern  nee  Dolor  aut  Saixn  aVcet 

Itide,  nee  aliiciunt  Angelus,  Aitra,  Deus.  • 

Excitatlo  Cordis  Calum  roerfui, 

1 69  J 

HE  U  quot  secla  teris  carcere  Corporis, 
Wattji?  quid  refugis  Limen  &  Exitum  ? 
Nee  Mens  JE there um  Cuimcn,  and  Atria 

Magni  Patris  anhelitat  ? 
Corpus  vile  creat  mille  Moleitias, 
Circum  Corda  volant  &  Dolor,  &  Metus, 
Peccatumque  malis  durius,  omnibus 

Caecas  Infidias  ftruit. 
Non  hoc  grata  tibi  Gaudia  de  folo 
Surgunt :  Christus  abefl,  de  licks  tuas, 
Longe  Christus  abeit,  inter  &  Angelos 

Et  picta  afira  perambulaus. 
*  Ceeli  fumma/fto,  nee  jacuJabitur. 
Iracunda  tonans  fulmina  :  Te  Deus 
Hortatur  ;  Vacuum  tende  per  Aera 

Ptnna s  nunc  homini  datas. 
*  Fide  H-orat.  Lib.  I.  Od.  3, 

Breathing  toward  the  Heavenly  Country, 

Cafemire,  Book  I.    Od.   19.  imitated. 

Urit  me  Patriot  Decor,  &c. 

TH  E   Beauty  of  my  native  Land 
Immortal  Love  infpires  ; 
'  I  burn,   I  burn  with  irrong  Defires, 
And  figh,  and  wait  the  high  Command. 
There  glides  the  Moon  -her  fhining  Way, 
And  moots  my  Heart  thro'  with  a  Silver  Ray, 

Upward 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &cy  69 

Upward  my  Heart  afpires  : 
A  thoufand  Lamps   of  golden  Light 
Hung  high,  in  vaulted  Azure,  charm  my  Sight, 
\nd  wink  and  beckon  with  their  amorous  Fires, 
3  ye  fair  Glories  of  my  heavenly  Home, 
Bright  Centinels  who  guard  my  Father's  Court, 
Where  all  the  happy  Minds  refort, 
When  will  my  Father's  Chariot  come  ? 
Vluft  ye  for  ever  walk  the  Ethereal  Round, 
For  ever  fee  the  Mourner  lie 
An  Exile  of  the  Sky, 
A  Prifoner  of  the  Ground  ? 
Defcend  fome  mining  Servants  from  on  high, 
Bu;ld  me  a  hafty  Tomb  ; 
A  grafly  Turf  will  raife  my  Head  ; 
The  neighbouring  Lillies  drefs  my  Bed  ; 

And  med  a  cheap  Perfume. 
Here  I  put  off  the  Chains  of  Death, 

My  Soul  too  long  has  worn  : 
Friends,  I  forbid  one  groaning  Breath, 

Or  Tear  to  wet  my  Urn ; 
Raphael,  behold  me  all  undreft, 
Here  gently  lay  this  Flefh  to  reft ; 
Then  mount,  and  lead  the  Path  unknown, 
Swift  I  purfue  thee,  flaming  Guide,  on  Pinions  of  myowi3» 

Cafimiri  Epigramma  100. 

[n   Sanctum  Ardaliomm  qui   ex   Mimo   Chriflianut 
faclus  Martyrium  paflus  eft. 

AR  D  A  L  I  O    Jacros  deridit  carmine  Ritust 
Fe/taque  non  aqua  --voce  Tbeatra  quatip, 
Audit t  Omnipotens  ;   "   Non  eft  opus,  inquit,  hiidco 
"   Fu'minc  ;  tarn '  facile;/),   Gratia,  <vince  Virym, 
Dgferit  ilia  Polos',   lB  dsjerit  rjie  The  at  rum, 

%Et  ter'ei'i jatrwn  voi-vit  in  Erife  -Saput. 
f,^Sic,Jzc,   2  n  quit,  abn  nojlra  ComaeaiaVita  \ 
'.  *'  Terra  vale,  Caelum  pi aude,  Tjranne  feri; 

Engli&cd. 


7o  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  I. 

Englifhed. 

On  Saint  Ardalio,    who  from  a    Stage-Player  became 
a  Cbri/iian,  and  fuffered  Martyrdom, 

/IRD ALIO  jeers,  and  in  his  Comick  Strains 
The  Myfteries  of  a  bleeding  God   profanes 
While  his  loud  Laughter  fhakes  the  painted  Scenes. 

11. 
Heaven  heard,  and  ftrait  around  the  fmoaking  Throne 
The  kindling  Lightning  in  thick  Flames  fhone, 
And  vengeful  Thunder  muimur'd  to  be  gone. 

Mercy  flood  near,  and  with  a  fmiling  Brow 

Calm'd  the  loud  Thunder  ;  "  There's  no  need  of  you  ; 

•*  Grace  fhall  defend,  and  the  weak  Man  fubdue. 

IV. 
Grace  leaves  the  Skies,  and  he  the  Stage  forfakes, 
He  bows  his  Head  down  to  the  Martyring  Ax, 
And  as  he  bows,  this  gentle  Farewel  fpeaks  i 

u  So  goes  the  Comedy  of  Life  away ; 

'*  Vain  Eaith,  adieu  ;  Heaven  will  applaud  to  Day; 

"  Strike  Courteous  Tyrant,  and  conclude  the  Play. 

When  the  Protejlant  Church  at  Montpelier  was  demo- 
HJhed  by  the  French  King's  Order,  the  Protejtants  laid 
Stones  up  in  their  Burying-place,  whereon  a  yefuit  made 
a  Latin  Epigram, 

Englifhed  thus  : 

A     Hug' not  Church,   once,  at  Montpelier  built, 
Stood  ana  proclaim'd  their  Madnefs  and  their  Guilt ; 
Too  long  it  flood  beneath  Heaven's  angry  Frown, 
Worthy  when  rifiag  to  be  thundefd  down. 
Leiuisy  at  laft,  th' Avenger  of  the  C-tkies, 
Commands,  and  level  with  the  Ground  it  lies  : 
The  Stones  difpers'd,  their  wretched  Offspring  come, 
Gather,  and  heap  them  on  their  Father's  Tomb. 
Thus  the  curs'd  Houfe  falls  on  the  builder's  Head  : 
And  tho'  beneath  the  Ground  their  b  ncs  art  laid, 
Yet  the  jutt  Vengeance  (tfll  purfues  the  guilty  Dead 

Tbt 


\ 


I 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  71 

The  Anjwer  by  a  French  Proteflant, 
Englifhed  thus : 

AChriftian  Church  once  at  Montpelier  flood, 
And  nobly  fpoke  the  Builder's  Zeal  for  G  0  d. 
x  flood  the  Envy  of  the  fierce  Dragoon, 
3ut  not  deferv'd  to  be  deflroy'd  fo  foon^ 
ret  Lewis,  the  wild  Tyrant  of  the  Age, 
Tears  down  the  Walls,  a  Viclim  to  his  Rage, 
/oung  faithful  Hands  pile  up  the  facred  Stones 
'Dear  Monument !)  o'er  their  dead  Father's  Bones ; 
The  Stones  fhall  move  when  the  dead  Father's  rife, 
?tart  up  before  the  pale  Deilroyer's  Eyes, 
And  teftify  his  Madnefs  to  th'  avenging  Skies. 

Two  htppy  Rivals,  Devotion  and  the  Mufe. 

WILD  as  the  Lightning,  various  as  the  Moon, 
Roves  my  Pindaric  Song  : 
I    Here  me  glows  like  burning  Noon 
j    In  fiercer!  Flames,  and  here  fhe  plays 
(Gentle  as  Star-beams  on  the  Midnight  Seas ; 
Now  in  a  fmiling  Angel's  Form, 
Anon  me  rides  upon  the  Storm, 
Loud  as  the  noify  Thunder,  as  a  Deluge  flrong. 
Are  my  Thoughts  and  Wiihes  free, 
And  know  no  number  nor  Degree?  *  • 

Such  is  the  Mufe  :  Lo  ihe  difdains 

The  Links  and  Chains, 
Meafures  and  Rules  of  vulgar  Strains 
And  o'er  the  Laws  of  Harmony  aSovereignQueen  me  reigns, 
II. 
If  fhe  roves 
By  ltrearos  or  Groves 
Tuning  her  Pleafures  or  her  Pains, 
My  ParTion  keeps  her  ftill  in  Sight, 
My  Pa&on  holds  an  equal  Flight 
Thro'  Love's,  or  Nature's  wide  Campaigns. 
If  with  bold  Attempt  me  fings 
Of  the  biggeft  mortal  Things, 
Tottering  Thrones  and  Nations  flain ; 
Qr  breaks  r, he  Fleets  of  warring  Kings, 


72  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  I. 

While  Thunders  roar 
From  Shore  to  Shore, 
My  Soul  fits  fail  upon  her  Wings, 
And  fweeps  the  crimfon  Surge,  or  fcours  the  purple  Plain  J 

Still  I  atrend  her  as  (he  flies. 
Round  the  broad  Globe,  and  all  beneath  the  Skies. 
III. 
But  when  from  the  Meridian  Star 

Long  Streaks  of  Glory  fhine, 
And  Heaven  invites  her  from  afar, 
She  takes  the  Hint  (he  kncws  the  Sign, 
The  Mufe  afcends  her  heavenly  Carr, 
And  climbs  the  fteepy  Path  and  means  the  Throne  divine. 
Then  fhe  leaves  my  flutt'ring  Mind 
Clogg'd  with  Clay,  and  uurerin'd, 
Lengths  of  Diftance  far  behind  : 
Virtue  lags  with  heavy  W^.eel  ; 
Faith  has  Wings,  but  cannot  rife, 
Cannot  rife,—  Swift  and  high 
As  the  winged  Numbers  fly, 
And  faint  Devotion  panting  lies 
Halfway  th'Etherial  Hill. 
IV. 
O  why  is  Piety  fo  weak, 

And  yet  the  Mufe  fo  ltrong  ? 
When  (hall  thefe  hateful  Fetters  break 

That  have  conhVd  me  long  ? 
Inward  a  glowing  Heat  1  feel, 
A  Spark  of  heav'nly  Day  ; 
But  earthly  Vapours  damp  my  Zeal, 
And  heavy  Flefh  drags  me  the  downward  Way. 

Faint  are  the  Efforts  of  my  Will, 
And  mortal  Paffion  charms  my  Soul  aftray. 
Shiue  thou  fweet  hour  of  dear  Releafe, 
Shine  from  the  Sky, 
And  call  me  high 
To  mingle  with  the  Choirs  of  Glory  and  of  Blifs. 
Devotion  there  beg:ns  the  Flight, 
Awakes  the  Song,  and  guides  the  Way  ; 
There  Love  and  Zeal  divine  and  bright 
Trace  out  new  Regions  in  the  World  of  Light, 
And  fcaice  the  boldeit  Mule  can  follow  or  ©bey. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  73 

I'm  in  a  Dream,  and  fancy  reigns, 
She  fp reads  her  gay  delufive  Scenes  ; 

Or  is  the  Viiion  true  ? 
Behold  Religion  on  her  Throne, 

In  awful  State  defcending  down,  (View. 

And  her  Dominions   vail  and  bright  within  my  fpacious 
She  fmiles,  and  with  a  courteous  Hand 

She  beckons  jne  away  ; 
J  feel  mine  airy  Powers  loofe  from  the  cumbrous  Clay, 
And  with  a  joyful   hafte  obey 

Religion's  high  Command. 
What  Lengths  and  Heights  and  Depths  unknown ! 
Broad  Fields  and  blooming  Glory  fown, 
And  Seas,  and  Skies,   and  Stars  her  own, 

In  an  unmeafur'd  Sphere  I 
What  Heavens  of  joy,  and  Light  ferene* 
Which  nor  the  rolling  Sun  has  feen, 
Where  nor  the  roving  Mufe  has  been 

That  greater  Traveller ! 

VI. 

A  long  Farewell  to  all  below, 
Farewell  to  all  that  Senfe  can  mow. 
To  golden  Scenes,  and  flow'ry  Fields, 
To  all  the  Worlds  that  Fancy  builds, 

And  all  that  Poets  know. 
Now  the  fwift  Tranfports  of  the  Mind 

Leave  the  fluttering  Mufe  behind,  (Wind. 

A  thoufand  loofe  Pindaric  Plumes  fly  featuring  down  the 
Among  the  Clouds  I  lofe  my  Breath, 

The  Rapture  grows  too  ftrong  : 
The  feeble  Pow'rs  that  Nature  gave 
Faint  and  drop  downward  to  the  Grave ; 
Receive  their  Fail,  thou  Treafurer  of  Death  5 
I  will  no  more  demand  my  Tongue, 
Till  the  grofs  Organ  well  refin'd 
Can  trace  the  boundlefs  Flights  of  an  unfetter'd  Mind, 
And  raife  an  equal  Song. 

E  The 


74  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

m * # # # # # #######***#### 

The  following  Poems  of  this  Book  are  peculiarly  de^ 
dicaiedto  Divine  Love*. 

The  Hazard  of  loving  the  Creatures, 
I. 

WKERE-E'ER  my  nVa'ring  Paftons  rove 
1  find  a  lurking  Snarei 
'Tis  dangerous  to  let  loofe  our  Love 
Beneath  th*  Eternal   F^ir. 

II. 
Souls  whom  the  Tye  of  Frindfhip  binds, 

And  Partners  of  our  Blood, 
Seize  a  large  Portion  of  our  Minds, 
And  leave  the  lefs  for    God, 
III. 
Nature  has  foft  but  powerful  Bands, 

And  Realon  fhe  controuls ; 
While  Children  with  their  little  Hands 
Hang  clofeit  to  our  Souls. 
IV. 
Thoughtlefs  they  act  th'  old  Serpent's  Part ; 

What  tempting'  Things   they  be  ! 
Lord,    how  thty  twine  about  our  Heart, 
And  draw  it  off  from  thee  ! 
V. 
Cur  hafty  Wills  rufh  blincly  on 

Where  riling  Paffion  rolls, 
And  thus  we  make  our  Fitters  itrcng 
To  bind  our  flaviflj  6oulsP 

VI. 
Dear  Sovereign,   break  thefe  Fetters  off, 

And  let  our  Spirits  free  ; 
God  in  himfelf  is  Blii's  enough, 
For  wc  have  all  in  Thee. 

Deftring 

*  Different  Ays  have  their  different  AH  and  Fajbions  of  Wri- 

It  nuas  much  nore  the  Fajbion  oj  the  A%e%  when  thefe  Po- 

tftti  -.'..'•.    ■'.:•>.    en,    to   trea^Jpf  Divine  Subjects  in  the  Style  of 

feo      mon's  Song  than  it  is  at  this  Da\>  which  will  afford 

fume  Apol  he  Writ;*:,  in  hisyoungeft  Years. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  75 

*  $  *  *  *  *  *.*  *"#"#  *  *  **#*^&*& 

Defiring  to  love  Christ. 

I. 

COME,  let  me  love  :  or  is  thy  Mind 
Harden'd  to  Stone,  or  froze  to  Ice  * 
I  fee  the  bleiTed  Fair  One  bend 
And  Hoop  t'  embrace  me  from  the  Skies  ! 
II. 

0  !  'tis  a  Thought  would  melt  a  Rock, 
And  make  a  Heart  of  Iron  move, 

That  thofe  fvveet  Lips,  that  heavenly  Look, 
Should  feek  and  wifh  a  mortal  Love  ! 
III. 

1  was  a  Traitor  doom'd  to  Fire, 
Bound  to  fuftain  Eternal  Pains  ; 

He  flew  on  Wj&gs  of  flrong  Defire, 
Affum'd  my  Guilt,  and  took  my  Chains. 

IV. 
Infinite  Grace  !  Almighty  Charms ! 
Stand  in  Amaze,  ye  whirling  Skies, 
J  E  $  U S  the  God,   with  naked  Arms, 
Hangs  on  a  CrOfs  of  Love,   and  dies. 

V. 
Did  Pity  ever  ftoop  fo  low, 
Drefs'd  in  Divinity  'and  Blood  ? 
Was  ever  Rebel  courted  fo 
In  Groans  of  an  expiring  God  ? 

VI. 
Again  he  lives  ;  and  fpreads  his  Hands, 
Hands  that  were  naii'd  to  tott'ring  Smart; 
By  tbefe  dear  Wounds,  fays  he  ;  and  itands 
And  prays  to  clafp  me  to  his  Heart. 

VII. 
Sure  I  mult  love ;  or  are  my  Ears 
Still  deaf,  nor  will  my  Paffion  move  ? 
Thea  let  me  melt  this  Heart  to  Tears ; 
This  Heart  lhall  yield  to  Death  or  Love. 

*Ihe  Heart  given  away, 
I. 

IF  there  are  Paffion s  in  my  Soul, 
(And  Paffions  fure  they  be) 

E  2  Now 


76  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

Now  they  are  all  at  thy  Comroul, 
My   JESUS,  all  for  Thee. 
II. 
If  Love,  that  pleafmg  Po^er,  ca&  reft 

In  Hearts  To  hard  as  mine, 
Come,  gentle  Saviour,  to  my  Breail, 
For  all  my  Love  is   thine. 
III. 
Let  the  gay  World,  with  treacherous  Art, 

Allure  my  Eyes  in  vain  : 
I  ha-e  convey'd  away  my  Heart, 
Ne'er  to  return  again. 

IV. 
I  feel  my  warmeft  Paffions  dead 

To  all  that  Earth  can  boaft  ; 
This   Soul  of  mine  was  never  made 
For  Vanity  and  Dull. 

V. 
Now  I  can  fix  my  Thoughts  above, 

Amidfl:  their  ftett'ring  Charms, 
'Till  the  dear   Lord   that  hath  my   Love 
Shall  Call  me  to  his  Arms. 
VI, 
So  Gabriel,  at  his  King's  Command, 

From  yon   Celeflkl  Hill, 
Walks  downward  to  our  worthlefs  Land, 
His  Soul  points  upward  frill. 
VII. 
He  glides  along  my  mortal  Things, 

Without  a  Thought  of  Lcve, 
Fulfils  his  Talk,  and  fpreads  his  Wings 
re'    the  R-    Ifns  ebove 

/Meditation  in  a  Grove. 
1. 

SWEET   Mufe,  defcend  and  blefs  the  Shade, 
And  hlei's  the  Evening  Grove  ; 
Bufinefs,  and  Noife,  and  Day  are  lied, 
Ajvd  every    Care,  but  Love. 
JI 
But  hence,  ye  wanton  Young  and  Fair, 
Mine  h  a  purer  Flame  ; 

No 


Sacred  to  DsvotlON,  &c*  J  J 

No  Phillis  {hall  infeft  the  Air, 

With  her  unhallowed  Name. 
III. 
JESUS  has  all   my  Powers  poiTeft, 

My  Hopes,  my  Fears,  my  Joys  : 
He,  the  dear  Sovereign  of  my  Breaft, 

Shall  Hill  command  my  Voice. 
IV. 
Some  of  the  faireft  Choirs  above 

Shall  flock  around  my  Song, 
With  Joy  to  hear  the  Name  they  love 

Sound  from  a  mortal  Tongue. 
V. 
His  Charms  fhall  make  my  Numbers  nWj 

And  hold  the  falling  Floods, 
While  Silence  fits  on  every  Bough, 

And  bends  the  lift'ning  Woods. 
VI. 
I'll  carve  our  FafTion  on  the  Bark, 

And  every  wounded  Tree 
Shall  drop  and  bear  fome  myitic  Mark 

That  JESUS'  dy'd  for  me. 
VII. 
The  Swains  mall  wonder  wAen  they  read, 

Infcrib'd  on  all  the  Grove, 
That  Heaven  itfelf  came  down,  and  bled 

To  win  a  Mortal's  Love. 

The  Faivejl  and  the  Only  Beloved, 
I. 

HONOUR   to  that  diviner  Ray 
That  firft  allur'd  my  Eyes  away 
From  every  mortal  Fair ; 
All  the  gay  Things  that  held  my  Sight 
Seem  but  the  twinkling  Sparks  of  Night, 
And  languishing  in  doubtful  Light 
Die  at  the  Morning-Star. 

II. 
Whatever  fpeaks  the  Godhead  great, 
And  fit  to  be  ador'd, 

E  3  Whatever 


78  LYRIC    POEM  Sy        Book  I, 

Whatever  makes  the  Creature  fweet, 
And  worthy  of  my  Pafiion,    meet 

Hnrmonius   in  my  Lord. 
A  thousand  Graces  ever  rife 

And  bloom   upon  his  Face  ; 

A  thoufand  Arrows  from  his  Eyes 

Shoot  thro'  my  Heart  with  dear  Surprize, 

And  guard  around   the  Place. 

III. 

All  Nature's  Art  mail  never  cure 

The  heavenly  Pains  I  found, 
And  'tis  beyond  all  Beauty's  Power 
To  make  another  Wound  : 
Earthly  Beauties  grow  and  fade  ; 
Nature  heals  the  Wounds  fhe  made, 
But  Charms  fo  much  divine 
Hold  a  long  Empire  of  the  Heart ; 
What  Heaven  has  join'd  fhall  never  part, 
And  JESUS  muft  be  mine. 
IV. 
In  vain  the  envious  Shades  of  Night, 

Or  Flatteries  of  the  Day 
WTould  veil  his  Image  from  my  Sight, 

Or  tempt  my  Soul  away  ; 
J  E  S  V  S  is  all  my  waking  Theme, 
His  lovely  Form  meets  every  Dream 
And  knows  not  to  depart  : 
The  Pailion   reigns 
Thro'  all  my  Veins, 
And  floating  round  the  crimfon  Stream* 
Still  finds  him  at  my  Heart. 
V. 
Dwell  there,  for  ever  dwell,  my  Love  ; 

Here  I  confine  my  Senfe ; 
Nor  dare  my  wildeft  Wilhes  rove 

Nor  ftir  a  Thought  from  thence. 
Amidit-  thy  Glories  and  thy  Grace 
Let  all  my  Remnant-Minutes  pafs  ; 
Grant,  thou  Everlasting  Fair, 
Grant  my  Soul  a  Manfion  there  : 
My  Soul  afpires  to  fee  thy  Face 
Tho'  Life  fhou'd  for  the  Vifion  pay  ; 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c»       >  79 

So  Rivers  run  to  meet  the  Sea, 

And  lofe  their  Nature  in  th'  Embrace. 

VI. 
Thou  art  my  Ocean,  thou  my   God; 
In  Thee  the  Paifions  of  the  Mind 
With  Joys  and  Freedom  unconnVd 
Exult,  and  fpread  their  Powers  abroad, 
Not  all  the  glittering  Things  on  high 
Can  make  my  Heaven,  if  thou  remove ; 
I  mall  be  tir'd  and  long  to  die ; 
Life  is  a  Pain  without  thy  Love ; 

Who  could  ever  bear  to  be 

Curft  with  Immortality 
Among  the  Stars,  but  far  from  Thee  ? 

Mutual  Love  Jironger  than  Death* 
I. 

NO  T  the  rich  World  of  Minds  abovs 
Can  pay  the  mighty  Debt   of  Lovs 
I  owe  to  Christ  my   God  : 
With  Pangs  which   none  but  he  could  feel 
He  brought  my  guilty  Soul  from  Hell : 
Not  the  firif  Seraph's  Tongue  can  tell 
The  Value  of  his  Blood. 

II. 
kindly  he  feiz'd  me  in  his  Arms, 
From  the  falfe  World's  pernicious  Charms 

With  Force  divinely  fvveet. 
Had  I  ten  thoufand  Lives  my  own, 
At  his  Demand, 
With  chearful  Hand, 
I'd  pay  the  vital  Treafure  down 
In  hourly  Tributes  at  his  Feet. 

III. 
But  Saviour,  let  me  tafte  thy  Grace 

With  every  fleeting  Breath  ? 
And  thro'  that  Heaven  of  Pleafure  pafs 

To  the  cold  Arms  of  Death ; 
Then  I  could  lofe  fucceffive  Souls 

Faft  as  the  Minutes  fly  ; 
So  Billow  after  Billow  rolls 
To  kifs  the  Shore,  and  die. 

n$ 


to  LT  R  I C    POEMS,        BookL 

The  Sub/lance  of  the  following  Copy,  and  many  of  tht 
Lines,  were  fent  me  by  an  efiee?ned  Friend,  Mr.  W. 
Nokes,  with  a  Defire  that  I  would  form  them  into 
a  Pindaric  Ode ;  but  I  retain* d  his  Meafures,  leji  I 
Jhould  too  much  alter  his  Sen/e, 

A  Sight  c/Christ. 

ANGELS  of  Light,  your  God  and  King  furround 
With  noble  Songs ;  in  his  exalted  Flefh 
He  claims  your  Worfhip  ;  while  his  Saints  on  Earth, 
Blefs  their  Redeemer -God  with  humble  Tongues. 
Angels  with  lofty  Honours  crown  his  Head  ; 
We  bowing  at  his  Feet,  by  Faith,  may  feel 
His  diftant  Influence,  and  confefs  his  Love. 

Once  I  beheld  his  Face,  when  Beams  divine 
Broke  from  his  Eye  lids,  an  unufual  Light 
Wrapt  me  at  once  in  Glory  and  Surprize. 
My  joyful  Heart  high  leaping  in  my  Breaft 
With  Tranfport  cry'd,  This  is  the  Christ  of  Got) ; 
Then  threw  my  Arms  around  in  fweet  Embrace, 
And  clafp'd,  and  bow'd  adoring  low,  till  I  was  loft  in  him. 

While  he  appears,  no  other  Charms  can  hold 
Or  draw  my  Soul,  aftiam'd  of  former  Things, 
Which  no  Remembrance  now  deferve  or  Name, 
Tho'  which  Contempt ;  bell  in  Oblivion  hid. 

But  the  bright  Shine  and  Prefence  foon  withdrew  ; 
I  fought  him  whom  I  love,  but  found  him  not  ; 
I  felt  his  Abfence  |  and  with  ftrongeft  Cries 
Proclaimed,   Where  JESUS  is  not,  all  is  vain. 
Whether  I  hold  him  with  a  full  Delight, 
Or  feek  him  panting  with  extreme  Defire, 
*Tis  he  alone  can  pleafe  my  wondVing  Soul  °T 
To  hold  or  feek  him  is  my  only  Choice. 
If  he  refrain  on  me  to  caft  his  Eye 
Down  from  his  Palace,  nor  my  longing  Soul 

With 


Sacred  to  DevGTION,  &c,  8l 

With  upward  Look  can  fpy  my  deareft  Lord 
Thro'  his  blue  Pavement,  I'll  behold  him  Hill 
With  fweet  Reflection  on  the  peaceful  Crofs, 
All  in  his  Blood  and  Anguiih  groaning  deep, 

Gafping  and  dying  there  ; ■■ 

This  Sight  I  ne'er  can  lofe,  by  it  I  live  : 
A  quick'ning  Virtue  from  his  Death  infpir'd 
Is  Life  and  Breath  to  me  ;  his  Flelh  my  Food  j 
His  vital  Blood  I  drink,  and  hence  my  Strength. 

I  live,  I'm  ftrong,  and  now  Eternal  Life 
Beats  quick  within  my  Breaft  ;  my  vigorous  Mind 
Spurns  the  dull  Earth,  and  on  her  fiery  Wing$ 
Reaches  the  Mount  of  Purpofes  Divine, 
Councils  of  Peace  betwixt  th'  Almighty  Three 
Conceiv'd  at  once,,  and  iign'd  without  Debate, 
•In  perfecl  Union  of  th'  Eternal  Mind 
With  vafl  Amaze  I  fee  the  unfathom'd  Thoughts, 
Infinite  Schemes,  and  infinite  Deiigns 
Of  God's  own  Heart,  in  which  he  ever  reits. 
Eternity  lies  open  to  my  View  ; 
Here  the  Beginning  and  the  End  of  all 
I  can  difcover ;  CHRIST  the  End  of  all,. 
.  And  CHRIST  the  great  Beginning ;  he  my  Head;, 
My   God,  my  Glory,  and  my  All  m  All. 

O  that  the  Day,  the  joyful  Day  were  come, 
When  the  firft  Adam  from  his  ancient  Dull 
Crown'd  with  new  Honours  fnall  revive,  and  fee 
JESUS  his  Son  and  Lord ;  while  fhouting  Saints 
Surround  their  King,  and  God's  Eternal  Son 
Shines  in  the  midft,  but  with  fuperior  Beams,/ 
And  like  himfelf ;  then  the  myiterious  Word 
Long  hid  behind  the  Letter  fhall  appear- 
All  Spirit  and  Life,  and  in  the  tulieit  Light 
Stand  forth  to  publick  View  ;  and  there  difcloie 
His  Fathers  facred  Works,  and  wondrous  Ways  : 
Then  Wifoom,  Righteoufnefs  and  Grace  divine, 
Thro'  all  the  infinite  Tratifa&ions  paft, 
Inwrought  and  mining-,  fljail  with  double  Blaze 
Strike  our  aftc-nifh'd  Eyes,  and  ever  reign 
Admir'd  and  glorious  in  triumphant  Light. 

1  Peatrv 


82  LTRIC    POEMS,        Book  I. 

Death,    and  the  Tempter,  and  the  Man  of  Sin 
Now  at  the  Bar  arraign'd,  in  Judgment  cart, 
Shall  vex  the  Saints  no  more  :  but  perfect  Love 
And  loudeft  Praifes  perfect  Joy  create, 
While  ever-circling  Years  maintain  the  blifsful  State. 
* 

Love  on  a  Crofs,  and  a  Throne. 

L 

NOW  let  my  Faith  grow  ftrong,  aad  rife,. 
And  view  my  Lord  in  all  his  Love  ; 
Look  back  to  hear  his  dying  Cries, 
Then  mount  and  fee  his  Throne  above. 

II. 
See  where  he  languifh'd  on  the  Crofs ; 
Beneath  my  Sins  he  groan'd  and  dy'd  ; 
See  where  he  fits  to  plead  my  Caufe 
By  his  Almighty  Father's  Side. 

If  I  behold  his  bleeding  Heart, 
There  Love  in  Floods  of  Sorrow  reigns, 
He  triumphs  o'er  the  killing  Smart, 
And  buys  my  Pleafure  with  his  Pains. 

IV. 
Or  if  I  climb  th'  Eternal  Hills 
Where  the  dear  Conqueror   fits  enthron'd.*, 
Still  in  his  Heart  Companion  dwells> 
Near  the  Memorials  of  his  Wound. 

V. 
How  ihall  a  pardon'd  Rebel  mow 
How  much  I  love  my  dying  God? 
Lord,  here  I  banifh  every  Foe, 
I  hate  the  Sins  that  coil:  thy  Blood. 

VI. 
3  hold  no  more  Commerce  with  Hell, 
My  deareft  Lulls  ihall  all  depart  j 
But  let  thine  Image  ever  dwell 
6tampt  as  a  Seal  upon  my  Heart. 

A  Preparatory 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  Sec,  83 

#########  # # ########## 
.//  Preparatory  Thought  for  the  Lord's- Supper \ 

In  Imitation  of  Ifaiah,  lxiii,  i,  2,  3. 

WHAT  heavenly  Man,  or  lovely  God, 
Comes  marching  downward  from  the  Skies, 
Array'd  in  Garments  roll'd  in  Blood, 
With  Joy  and  Psty  in  his  Eyes. 

The  Lord  1  the  Saviour  !  yes,  'tis  he, 
I  know  him  by  the  Smiles  he  wares ; 
Dear  glorious  Man   that  dy'd  for  me, 
Drench'd  deep  in  Agonies  and  Tears  I 

III. 
Lo,  he  reveals  his  mining  Breaft ; 
I  own  thofe  Wounds,  and  I  adore  : 
Lo,  he  prepares  a  royal  Feaft, 
Sweet  Fruit  of  the  fharp  Pangs  he  bore  I 

IV. 
"Whence  flow  thefe  Favours  fo  divine  ! 
Lord  !  why  fo  lavifh  of  thy  blood  ? 
Why  for  fuch  Earthly  Souls  as  mine, 
This  heavenly  Fleih,  this  facred  Food  ? 

V. 
Twas  his  own  Love  that  made  him  bleed, 
That  nail'd  him  to  the  curfed  Tree  ; 
*Twas  his  own  Love  this  Table  fpread 
For  fuch  unworthy  Worms  as  we. 

VL. 
Then  let  us  tafle  the  Saviour's  Love, 
Come,  Faith,  and  feed  upon  the  Lord  : 
With  glad  Conient  our  Lips  mail  move 
And    fvveet  Hofannas  crown  the   Board. 

Converje  with  Christ, 
I. 

I'M  tir'd  with  Vifits,  Modes,  and  Forms, 
And  Flatteries  paid  to  Fellow- Worms  ; 
Their. CciiVeriation  cloys  ; 
Their  vain  Amours,   and  em   ty  Stuff: 
But  I    can    ne'er  enjoy  enough 
Of  th/  bsil  Company,  my  Lord,  thou  Life  of  iU  my  Joys, 


84  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

II. 

When  he  begins  to   tell  his  Love, 
Through  every  Vein  my  Paffions   move* 

The  Captives  of  his  Tongue  : 
In  midnight  Shades  on  frofty  Ground, 
I  could  attend  the  pleafing  Sound,  (l°ng-- 

Nor  mould  I  feel  December  cold,  nor  think  the  Darkneis 

III. 
There,  while  I  hear  my  Saviour-God 
Count  o'er  the  Sins  (  a  heavy  Load) 
He  bore  upon  the  Tree, 
Inward  I  bluftt  with  fecret  Shame, 
And  weep,  and  love,  and  blefs  the  Name  (me. 

That  knew  not  Guilt  nor  Grief  his  own,  but  bare  it  all  for 
IV. 
Next  he  defcribes  the  Thorns  he  wore, 
And  talks  his  bloody  Paffion  o'er, 

Ti!l  I  am  drown'd  in  Tears  ; 
Yet  with  the  Sympathetic  Smart 
There's  a  ftrange  Joy  beats  round  my  Heart ; 
ThecurfedTree  has  Bleflings  in't,  my  fvveeteit  Balm  it  bears. 
V. 
I  hear  the  glorious  Sufferer  tell, 
How  on  his  Grofs.  he  vanquifh'd  Hell, 

And  all  the  Powers  beneath  : 
Tranfported  and  infpir'd,  my  Tongue 
Attempts  his  Triumphs  in  a  Song;  (Death* 

HorJO  has  the  Serpent  Ujl  his  Sting,  and  <whereys  thy  Vittory* 
VI. 
But  when  he  (hews  his  Hands  and  Heart, 
With  thofe  dear  Prints  of  dying  Smart,. 

He  fets  my  Soul  on  Fire  : 
Not  the  beloved  John  could  reft 
With  more  delight  upon  that  Breaft, 
NorThomas  pry  into  thofe  Wounds  with  more  intenfeDefire, 
VII. 
Kindly  he  opens  me  his  Ear, 
And  bids  me  pour  my  Sorrow  there, 

Arid  tell  him  all  my  Pains : 
Thus  while  I  eafe  my  burden'd  Heart, 
In  every  Woe  he  bears  a  Part,       •  (fuftains. 

His  Arms  embrace  me,  and  his  Hand  my  drooping  Head 

VIII, 
/ 


Sacred  to  Devotion',  &c  Sj 

VIII. 

Fly  from  my  Thoughts,  all  human  Things, 
And  fporting  Swains,,  and  fighting  Kings, 
And  Tales  of  wanton  Love  : 

My  Soul  difdains  that  little  Snare 

The  Tangles  of  Amira's  Hair  ;  (remove, 

Thine  Arms  my  GoD.,are  fweeter  Bands,  nor  can  my  Heart 

Grace  Jhining^  and  Nature  fainting, 

Sol.  Song  i.  3.  &  il  5.  h  vi.  5... 

I. 

TELL  me,  fairert  of  thy  Kind, 
Tell  me  Shepherd,  all  divine,. 
Where  this  fainting  Head  reclin'd 
IMay  relieve  fuch  Cares  as  mine  : 
Shepherd,  lead  me  to  thy  Grove; 
If  burning  Noon  infe£t  the  Sky 
The  fick'ning  Sheep  to  Covert  fly, 
The  Sheep  not  half  fo  faint  as  I, 
Thus  overcome  with  Love, 
II,. 
Say,  thoudear  Sovereign  of.  my  Breafl^. 
Where  doil  thou  lead  thy  Flock  to  reft  1 
Why  fhould  I  appear  like  one 
Wild  and  wandring  all  alone, 
Unbeloved  and  unknown  ? 
O  my  Great  Redeemer,- fay,.. 
Shall  I  turn  my  Feet  altray !. 
Will  JESUS  bear  to  fee  me  rove*- 
To  fee  me  feek  another  Love  ? 
HI. 
Ne'er  had  I  known  his  deareft.Name,, 
Ne'er  had  I  felt  his  inward  Flame, 
Had  not  his  Heart-ftrings  firft  began  the  tender  Sound ; 
Nor  can  I  bear  the  Thought,   that  He 
Shou'd  leave  the  Sky, 
Shou'd  bleed  and  die, 
Should  love  a  Wretch  fo  vile  as  me 
Without  Returns  of  Paflion  for  his  dying  Wound, 

IV. 


86  L  TR  I  C    P  O  E  M  S,  Book  I. 

IV. 

His  Eyes  are  Glory  mix'd  with  Grace ; 
In  hk  Delightful  awful  Face 
Sits  Majefty  and  Gentlenefs. 
So  tender  is  my  bleeding  Heart 
That  with  a  Frown  he  kills  ; 
His  Abfence  in  perpetual  Smart 
Nor  is  my  Soul  refin'd  enough 
To  bear  the  Beaming  of  his  Love,. 

And  feel  his  warmer  Smiles. 
Where  (hall  I  reft  this  drooping  Head  ?  ' 
I  love,  I  love  the  Sun,  and  yet  I  want  the  Shade,. 
V. 
My  finking  Spirits  feebly  ftrive 

T'  endure  the  Extafy  ; 
Eeneath  thefe  Rays  I  cannot  live,. 

And  yet  without  them  die. 
None  knows  the  Pleafure  and  the  Pain 
That  all  my  inward  Powers  fuftain 
But  fuch  as  fell  a  Saviour's  Love,  and  love  the  God  again* 

VI. 
Oh  why  mould  Beauty  heavenly  bright 

Stoop  to  charm  a  Mortal's  Sight, 
And  torture  with  the  fweet  Excefs  of  Light  ? 
Gur  Hearts,  alas  !  how  frail  their  Make  ! 
With  their  own  Weight  of  Joy  they  break, 
Oh  why  is  Love  fo  ftrong,  and  Nature's  felf  Co  weak  2? 
VII. 
Turn,  turn  away  thine  Eyes, 
Afcend  the  Azure  Hills,  and  mine 
Among!!  the  happy  Tenants  of  the  Skies, 
They  can  fuftain  a  Vifion  fo  divine. 

O  turn  thy  lovely  Glories  from  me, 
The  Joys  are  too  intenfe,  the  Glories  overcome  mfc. 
VIII. 
Dear  Lord,  forgive  myralh  Complaint, 
And  love  me  ftill 
Againlt  my  froward  Will  ; 
Unvail  thy  Beauties,  the/  I  faint. 

Send 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c  87 

Send  the  great  Herald  from  the  Sky> 
And  at  the  Trumpet's  awful  Roar 
This  feeble  State  of  Things  fhaU  fly,. 
And  Pain  and  Pleafure  mix  no  more  t 
Then  {hall  I  gaze  with  ilrengthned  Sight 
On  Glories  infinitely  bright, 
My  Heart  fhaU  all  be  Love,  my  JESUS  all  Delight, 

Love  to  Christ    prejmt  or  abjtxL 
L 

OF  all  the  Joys  we  Mortals  know, 
JESUS  thy  Love  exceeds  the  reil  % 
Love,  the  bell:  Bleiilng  here  below,. 
And  nearer*  Image  of  the  bleil. 

II. 
Sweet  are  my  Thoughts,  and  foft  my  Cares* 
When  the  Celeftial  Flame  I  i'td  ; 
In  all  my  Hopes,  and  all  my  Fears, 
There's  fome thing  kind  and  pleaftng  Hill, 

III. 
While  I  am  held  in  his  Embrace 
There's  not  a  Thought  attemps  to  rove  ^ 
Each  Smile  he  wears  upon  his  Face 
Fixes,  and  charms,,  and  fires  my  Love,. 

IV. 
He  fpeaks,  and  flrait  immortal  Joys 
Run  thro'  my  Ears,  and  reach  my  Heart} 
My  Soul  all  melts  at  that  dear  Voice, 
And  Pleasure  moots  thro'  every  Part* 

V.. 
If  he  withdraw  a  Moment's  fpace, 
He  leaves  a  facred  Pledge  behind ; 
Here  in  this  Breaft  his  Image  ftays, 
The  Grief  and  Comfort  of  my  Mind, 

VI. 
While  of  his  Abfence  I  complain, 
And  long,  and  weep  as  Lovers  do, 
There's  a  ilrange  Pleafure  in  the  Pain,. 
And  Tears  have  their  own  Sweetnefs  too, 

Vffi 


88  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  1 

VII. 
When  round  his  Courts  by  Day  I  rove, 
Or  afk  the  Watchmen  of  the  Night 
For  fome  kind  Tidings  of  my  Love, 
His  very  Name  creates  i)elight. 

VIIL. 
JESUS,  my  God;  yet  rather  come  ; 
Mine  Eyes  would   dwell   upon    thy  Face  ; 
*Tis  belt  to  fee  my  Lord    at  home, 
And  feel  the  Prefence  of  his  Grace. 

The  Abfence  of  Christ. 
L 

COME,  lead  me  to  fome  lofty  Shades 
Where  Turtles  moan  their  Loves  ; 
Tall  Shadows  were  for  Lovers  made ; 
And  Grief  becomes  the  Groves. 
II. 
'Tis  no  mean  Beauty  of  the  Ground- 
That  has  iniiav'd  mine  Eyes  ; 
I  faint  beneath  a  nobler  Wound,. 
Nor  love  below  the  Skies. 
III. 
JESUS,  the  Spring  of  all  that's  bright,. 

The  Everlalting  Fair, 
Heaven's  Ornament,  and  Heaven's  Delight;. 
Is  my  Eternal  Care. 

IV. 
But,  ah  !  how  far  above  this  Grave 
Does  the  bright  Charmer  dwell? 
Abfence,  thou  keeneft  Wound  to  Love? 
That  fharpeft  Pain,.  I  feel. 
V. 
Penfive  I  climb  the  facred  Hills, 

And  near  him  vent   my  Woes; 
Yet  his  fweet  Face  he  ftill  conceals,. 
Yet  ftill  my  Paflion  grows. 
VI. 
I  murmur  to  the  hollow  Vale, 
I  tell  the  Rocks  my  Flame, 

And 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c,  % 

And  blefs  the  Eccho  in  her  Cell 

That  beft  repeats  her  Name. 
VII. 
My  Paffion  breathes  perpetual  Sighs, 

Till  pitying  Winds  mall  hear, 
And  gently  bear  them  up  the  Skies, 

And  gently  wound  his  Ear. 

Dejiring  his  Defcent  to  Earth* 
I. 

*2EWS,  I  love.     Come,  deareft  Name, 
J    Come  and  polTefs  this  Heart  of  mine  j 
I  love,  tho'  'tis  a  fainter  Flame, 
And  infinitly  lefs  than  thine, 
IL 

0  !  if  my  Lord  would  leave  the  Skfes^ 
Dreft  in  the  Rays  of  mildeii  Grace, 

My  Soul  mould  haften  to  my  Eyes 
To  meet  the  Pleafures  of  his  Face. 

III. 
How  would  I  feafl  on  all  his  Charms* 
Then  round  his  lovely  Feet  entwine  I 
Worihip  and  ho\c3  in  all  their  Forms, 
Shou'd  honour  Beauty  fo  divine. 

IV. 
In  vain  the  Tempter's  flatt'rmg  Tongue, 
The  World  in  vain  mail  bid  me  move, 
In  vain  ;  for  J  mould  gaze  fo  long 
Till  I  were  all  transform'd  to  Love. 

V. 
Then  (mighty  God)  I'd  fmg  and  fay, 
*'   What  empty  Names  are  Crowns  and  Kings  ! 
"  Amongft  'em  give  thefe  Worlds  away, 
*•  Thefe  little  defpicable  Things.-' 

VI. 

1  would  not  aflc  to  climb  the  Sky 
Nor  envy  Angels  their  Abode, 

I  have  a  Keav'n  as  bright  and  high- 
ly the  bleil  Vifion  of  my   G  <*  u,- 

AfarJiug 


;o  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

Afcending  to  him  in  Heaven* 
I. 
>>~|""M  S  pure  Delight,  without  Alloy, 

J[      JESUS,    to  hear  thy  Name, 
My  Spirit  leaps  with  inward  Joy, 
I  feel  the  facred  Flame. 

II. 
My  Pafiions  hold  a  pleafing  Reign, 

While  Love  infpires  my  Breait, 
Love,  the  divineff  of  the   Train, 
The  Sovereign  of  the  reft. 

III. 
This  is  the  Grace  muft  live  and  fing, 

When  Faith  and  Fear  fhall  ceaie, 
Muft  found  from  every  joyful  String 
Thro'  the  fweet  Groves  of  Biifs. 
IV. 
Let  Life  immortal  feize  my  Clay  ; 

Let  Love  refine  my  Blood  ; 
Her  Flames  can  bear  my  Soul  away, 
Can  bring  me  near  my   God. 
V. 
Swift  I  afcend  the  heavenly  Place, 

And  haften  to  my  Home, 
I  leap  to  meet  thy  kind  Embrace, 
1  com?,  OLord,  1  come. 
VI. 
Sink  down,  ye  fepararing  Hills, 
Let  Guilt  and  Death  remove  ; 
'Tis  Love  that  drives  my  Chariot- Wheels, 
And  Death  muft  yield  to  Love. 

The   Prefence   of  G  o  d    worth   dying  for ;     Or,    the 
Death  of  Mofes. 

1. 

LORD,  'tis  an  infinite  Delight 
To  let  thy  lovely   Face, 
To  ciweli  vvhole  Ages  in  thy  Sight, 
And  fcei  thy  vital  Rays. 

1  h, 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c>  9* 

II; 

"his  Gabriel  knows  ;  and  rings  thy  Name 

With  Rapture  on  his  Tongue  ; 
\flcfes  the  Saint  enjoys  the  fame, 

And  Heaven  repeats  the  Song. 
III. 
While  the  bright  Nation  founds  thy  Praife 

From  each  eternal  Hill, 
Iweet  Odours  of  exhaling  Grace 

The  happy  Region  fill. 

IV. 
Thy  Love,  a  Sea  without  a  Shore, 

Spreads  Life  and  Joy  abroad  : 
D  'tis  a  Heaven  worth  dying  for 

To  fee  a  fmiling  God! 

Shew  me  thy  Face,  and  I'll  away 

From  all  inferior  Things  ;  . 
Speak  Lord,  and  here  I  quit  my  Clay3 

And  ftretch  my  airy  Wings. 
VI. 
Sweet  was  the  Journey  to  the  Sky 

The  wondrous  Prophet  try'd  ; 
\Climb  up  the  Mount,  fays    God,  and  die  | 

The  Prophet  climb'd  and  dy'd. 
VII. 
Softly  his  fainting  Head  he  lay 

Upon  his  Maker's  Breaft, 
His  Maker  kifs'd  his  Soul  away, 

And  laid  his  Flefh  to  reft. 

VIII. 
In  God's  own  Arms  he  left  the  Breath 

That   G  o  d's  ewn  Spirit  gave  ; 
His  was  the  noble!*  Road  to  Death, 

And  his  the  fweetefl  Grave. 

Long  for  his  Return. 
I. 
'TWAS  a  mournful  parting  Day  ! 
Fare-ojel,  my   Spcufe,  he  fa  id  ; 
(How  tedious,  Lord,  is   thy   Delay  ! 
How  long  my  Love  hath  ftaid  !) 

II, 


92  LYRIC    POEM  St         Book  1. 

II. 

Fareivel  /  at  once  he  left  the  Ground, 

And  climb'd  his  Father's  Sky  ; 
Lord,  I  would  tempt  thy  Chariot  down, 

Or  leap  to  thee  on  high. 

III. 
Round  the  Creation  wild  I  rove, 

And  fearch  the  Globe  in  vain  ; 
There's  nothing  here  that's  worth  my  Love 

Till  thou  return  again. 

IV. 
My  Paffions  fly  to  feek  their  King, 

Asd   fend   their  Groans  abroad, 
They  beat  the  Air  with  heavy  Wing, 

And  mourn  an  abfent  God: 
V. 
With  inward  Pain  my  Heart-firings  found, 

My  Soul  difTolves  away  ; 
Dear  Sovereign,  whirl  the  Seafons  round. 

And  bring  the    promis'd   Day. 

Hope  in  Darknefs* 

J694-, 

YE  T,  gracious  God, 
Yet  will  I  feek  thy  fmiling  Face  ; 
What  tho'  a  fhort  Eclipfe  his  Beauties  fhrowd 

And  bar  the  Influence  of  his  Rays, 
'Tis  but  a  Morning  Vapour,  or  a  Summer  Cloud  i. 
He  is  my   Sun  tho'  he  refufe  to  mine, 
Tho'  for  a  Moment  he  depart 
I  dwell  for  ever  on  his  Heart, 

For  ever  he  on  mine. 
Early  before  the  Light  arife 
I'll  fpnng  a  Thought  away  to  God; 
The   Paffion  of  my   Heart  and   Eyes 
Shall  fhout  a  thoufand    Groans  and   Sighs, 
A  thoufand  Glances  itrike  the  Skies, 
The  Floor  of  his  Abode. 

II. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  &c.  95 

n. 

Dear  Sovereign,   hear  thy  Servant  pray, 

Btnd  the  but-  Heavens,  Eternal  King, 

Downward  thy  ch°arfui  Graces  bring  ; 
Or  lhall  I  breath,  in  vain  and  pant  my  Hours  away  ? 
Break,  glorious   Bright n ess,  thro*  the  gloomy  Veil, 

Look    how   die    Armies  of  Defpair 

I     Aloft  their  footy  Banners  rear  \ 

Round  my  poor  captive  Soul,  and  dare 
Pronounce  me  Priibner  of  Hell. 
But  Thou,  my   Sun,  and  Thou  my  Shield, 
Wilt   fave  me  in  the  bloody  Field  ; 
/Break,  glorious  Brightness,  moot  one  glimmering  Ray, 
One  Glance  of  thine  creates  a  Day, 
And  drives  the  Troops  of  Hell  away. 
III. 
Happy  the  Times,  but  ah  !  the  Times  are  gone 

When   wond'rous  Power  and  radiant  Grace 
Round  the  tall  Arches  of  the  Temple  fhone, 
And  mingled  their  victorious  Rays  : 

Sin,  with  all  its  ghaftly  Train, 
Fled  to  the  Deeps  of  Death  again, 
And  fmiling  Triumph  fat  on  every  Face  : 
Our  Spirits  raptur'd  with  the  Sight 
Where  all  Devotion,  all  Delight, 
And  loud  Ho/annas  founded  the  Redeemer's  Praife, 
Here  could  I  fay, 
(And  point  the  Place  whereon  I  flood) 
Here  I  enjoy'd  a  Vifit  half  the  Day 
From  my  defcending   God: 
I  was  regal'd  with  heavenly  Fare, 
With  Fruit  and  Manna  from  above  | 
Divinely  fweet  the  BlefTings  were 
While  mine  Emanuel  was  there  % 
And  o'er  my  Head 
The  Conqueror  ipread 
The  Banner  of  his  Love. 

IV. 
Then  why  my  Heart  funk  down  fo  low  ? 
Why  do  my  Eyes  diilbive  und  flow, 

And  hopelefs   Nature  mourn  f 
Review  ray  Soul,  thofe  pleafing  Days, 

Kea4 


94  LYRIC    POEMS,         Book  I. 

Read  his  unalterable  Grace 
Thro'  the  Difpieafure  of  his  Face, 

And   wait  a  kind  Return. 
A  Father's  Love  may  raife  a  Frowa 
To  chide  the  Child,    or  prove  the  Son, 
But   Love   will    ne'er  deitroy  ; 
The  Hour  of  Daiknefs  is  bat  ihort, 
Faith  be  thy  Life,  and  Patience  thy  Support, 
The  Morning  brings   the  Joy. 

Cc?ne,  Lord  JESUS. 
I. 
"\  I7HE  N  mall  thy  lovely  Face  be  feen  ? 

V  V     When  mall  our  Eyes  behold  our  God? 
What  Lengths  of  Diilance  lie  between, 
And  Hills  of  Guilt  ?  a  heavy  Load  1 

II.  " 
Our  Months  are  Ages  of  Delay, 
And  flowly  every  Minute  wears : 
Fly,  winged  Time,  and  roll  away 
Thefe  tedious  Rounds  of  fluggliih  Years." 

III. 
Ye  heavenly    Gates,  loofe  all  your  Chains, 
Let  the  eternal  Pillars  bow  ; 
Bleft  Saviour,  cleave  the  fiarry  Plains, 
And  make  the  Cryltal  Mountains  flovr. 

IV. 
Hark,  how  thy  Saints  unite  their  Cries, 
And  pray  and  wait  the  general  Doom  ; 
Come,  Thou,  The  Soul  of  all  our.  Joys, 
Thou,  The  Desire  of  Nations,  come. 

V. 
Put  thy  bright  Robes  of  Triumph  on, 
And  biefs  our  Eyes,  and  blefs  our  Ears, 
Thou  abfent  Love,  thou  dear   Unknown, 
Thou  Fairest  of  ten  thousand  Fairs. 

VI. 
Our  Heart-firings  groan  with  deep   Complaint, 
Our  FIcfh  lies  panting,  Lorb,  for  thee, 
And  every  Limb,  and  every  Joint, 
Stretches  for  Immortality. 

VII. 


Sacred  to  Devotion,  Sec,  95 

VII. 

Our  Spirits  fftake  their  eager  Wing?, 
And  burn  to  meet  thy  flying  Throne  ; 
We  rile  away   from  mortal   Things 
T'  attend  thy  mining  Chariot  aown. 

VIII. 
Now  let  our  chearful  Eyes  furvey 
The  blazing  Earth  and  melting  Hills, 
And  iimle  to  fee  the  Lightnings   play, 
And  iiaih  along  before  thy  Wheels. 
IX. 

0  for  a  Shout  of  violent  Joys 

To  join  the  Trumpet's  thund'ring  Sound  ! 
The  Angel  Herald  makes  the  Skies, 
Awakes  the  Graves,  and  tears  the  Ground  I 

X. 
Ye  flumb'ring  Saints,  a  heavenly  Hoft 
Stands  waiting  at  your  gaping  Tombs  ; 
Let  every  facred  ileeping  Duft 
Leap  into  Life,  for  J  E  S  U  S  comes. 

XL 
JESUS,  the  God  of  Might  and  Love, 
New-moulds  our  Limbs  of  cumbrous  Clay  %     .    r 
Quick  as  Seraphick- Flames  we  move, 
Active  and  young,  and  fair  as  they. 

XII. 
Cur  airy  Feet  with  unknown  Flight 
Swift  as   the   Motions  of  Defire, 
Run  up  the  Hills  of  heavenly  Light, 
And  leave  the  weltring  World  m  Fire. 

Bewailing  my  cam  Inconjiancy , 
L 
LOVE   the  Loup;  but  ah !  how  far 
My  Thoughts  from  the  dear  Object  are ; 
This  wanton  Heart,  how  wide  it  roves  ! 
And  Fancv  meets  a  thoufand   Loves. 

.      1L 
If  my   Soul  burn  to  fee  my    Got), 

1  tread  the  Courts   of  his   Abode, 
But  Troops  of  Rivals  throng  the  Place 
And  tempt  me  off  before  his  Face. 

III. 


q*  LTRIC    POEMS,        Book  I 

TIL 
Would  I  enjoy  my  Lord  alone, 
I  bid  my  Paffions  all  be  pone, 
All    but  my  Love  ;  and  charge  my  Will 
To  bar  the  Door  and  guard  it  flifl. 

IV. 
But  Cares,  or  Trifles,  make,  or  find, 
Still  new  Avenues  to  the  Mind, 
Till  I  with  Grief  and  Wonder  fee, 
Huge  Crowds  betwixt  the  Lord  and  me. 

V. 
Oft  I  am  told   the  Mufe  will  prove 
A  Friend  to  Piety  and  Love ; 
Strait  I  begin  feme  facred  Song, 
And  take  my  Saviour   on   my  Tongue. 

VI. 
Strangely  I  lofe  his  lovely  Face, 
To  hold  the  empty  Sounds  in   chafe  j 
At  beft  the  Chimes  divide  my  Heart, 
And  the  Mufe  fhares  the  larger  part. 

VJI. 
Falfe  Confident !  and  falfer  Breaii  ! 
Fickle,   and  fond  of  every  Gueft ; 
Each  airy  Image  as  it  flies 
Here  finds  Admittance  truo*  my  Eyes. 

VIII. 
This  foolifh  Heart  can  leave  her  G  o  d, 
And   Shadows  tempt  her  Thoughts  abroad  : 
How  fliall  I  fix  this  wandring  Mind  ? 
Or  throw  my  Fetters  on  the  Wind  / 

IX. 
Look  gently  down,  Almighty  Grace,, 
Prifon  me  round  in  thine  Embrace  ; 
Pity   the  Soul  that  would  be  thine, 
And  let  thy  Power  my  Love  confine. 

X. 
Say,   when  fliall   thy  bright  Moment  be 
That  I  mall  live  alone  for  Thee, 
My  Heart  no  foreign  Lords  adore, 
Ana  the  wild  Mule  prove  falfe  no  more  ? 

Ferjakex, 


Sacred  to  Devotion^  &c.  97 


Forfaken^  yet  Hoping* 
I. 

HAPPY  the  Hours,  the  golden  Days, 
When  I  could  call  my  JESUS  mine, 
And  fit  and  view  his  (railing  Face, 
And  melt  in  Pleafures  all-divine. 

II. 
Near  to  my  Heart,  within  my  Arms 
He  lay,  till  Sin  defil'd  my  Breaft, 
Till  broken  Vows,  and  earthly  Charms, 
Tir'd  and  provok'd  my  heavenly  Gueft. 

III. 
And  now  He's  gone,  (O  mighty  Woe  !) 
Gone  from  my  Soul,  and  hides  his  Love  ! 
Curfe  on  you,  Sins,  that  griev'd  Him  fo, 
Ye  Sins,  that  forc'd  him  to  remove. 

IV. 
Break,  break,  my  Heart ;   complain,   my  Tongue  £ 
Hither,  my  Friends,  your  Sorrows  bring  : 
Angels  aflift  my  doleful  Song, 
If  you  have  e'er  a  moui  ning  String. 

But,  ah  !  your  Joys  are  ever  high, 

Ever  his  lovely  Face  you  fee ; 

While  my  poor  Spirits  pant  and  die, 

And  groan,  for  Thee,  my  God,  for  Thee. 

VI. 
Yet  let  my  Hope  look  thro*  my  Tears, 
And  fpy  afar  his  rolling  Throne  ; 
His  Chariot  thro'  the  cleaving  Spheres 
Shall  bring  the  bright  Beloved  down* 

VII. 
Swift  as  a  Roe  flies  o'er  the  Hills, 
My  Soul  fprings  oat  to  meet  him  high, 
Then  the  fair  Conqueror   turns  his  Wheels, 
And  climbs  the  Manfions  of  the  Sky. 

VIII. 
There  fmiling  Joy  for  ever  reigns 
No  more  the  Turtle  leaves  the  Dove } 

P  FareweJ 


§S  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  I. 

Farevvel  to  Jealoufies,   and  Pains, 
And  all  the  Ills  of  abfent  Love. 

The  Conclusion. 

God  exalted  above  all  Prmje, 

I. 

ETERNAL  Power!  whofe  high  Abode 
Becomes  the  Grand'  n    qi   p  God  ; 
Infinite  Length  beyond  the  Be 

Where  Stars  revolve  then    little  Rounds. 

II. 
The  I.) weft  Step  above  thv  Scat 
Rifes  t<  ■■  high  for  Gubnel\  Feet, 
In  vaii    the  tall  Arch-Angel  tries 
To  reach  thine  Height  with  wondring  Eyes. 

IIL 
Thy  dazling  Beauties  whilft  he  fings 
He  hid<  s  his  Face  behind  his   Wings 
And  Ranks  of  mining  Thrones  around 
Fall  worfhipping  and  fpread  the  Ground. 

IV. 
Lord,  what  mall  Earth   and  Ames  do? 
We  would  adore  our  Maker  too  ; 
From  Sin  and  Duiv  to  thee  iv€  cry, 
The  Great,,  the  Holy,  and  the  High! 

V. 
Earth  from  afar  has  heard  the  Fame, 
And   Worms  have  learnt  to  lifp   thy  Name; 
But  O,   the  Glories  oi   the  Mind 
Leave  all  our  foatiflg  Thoughts  behind. 

VI. 
God    is    in  Heaven,  and  Men  be*ow  ; 
Be  iiioit,  our  Tun«d  ;   C  be   few  ; 

A  facred  Reverence  .:gs, 

And  Praife  fits  file>t{  on  our  Tongues, 

The  End  of  the   :-:rst  Book. 

pbi  fdst  Lisus,  0  Daus,  Pfal.  tor.  i. 

H  O  R  M 


£      J****^  c^*%  e#***% 


HO  R  JE  LTRICM. 

BOOK     II. 

Sacred  to  Virtue,  Honour,  and 
Friendship. 

TO 

i£r  MJJESTT. 

QUEEN  of  the  Northern  World  whofe  gentle  Sway 
Commands  our  Love,  and  charm  our  Hearts  t'obey, 
Forgive  the  Nation's  Groan  when  WIL  LI  AM. 
Lo,  at  thy  Feet  in  all  the  loyal  Pride  (dy'd  • 

Of  blooming  Joy,  three  happy  Realms  appear, 
And   WIL  L  I  AMh  Urn  almoii:  without  a  Tear     -, 
Stands ;  nor  complains :  while  from  thy  gracious  Tongue 
Peace  flows  in  Silver  Streams  amidfl:  the  Throng. 
Amazing  Balm,  that  on  thofe  Lips  was  found 
To  footh  the  Torment  of  that  mortal  Wound, 
And  calm  the  wild  Affright  !  The  Terror  dies, 
The  bleeding  Wound  cements,  the  Danger  flies, 
And  Albion  fhouts  thine  Honours  as  her  Joys  arife. 

The  German  Eagle  feels  her  Guardian  dead, 
Not  her  own  Thunder  can  fecure  her  Head  ; 

F*  Her 


too  L  T  R  I  C   POEMS,        Book  I 

Her  trembling  Eaglets  haflen  from  afar, 
And  Belgians  Lion  dreads  the  Gallick  War  : 
All  hide  behind  thy  Shield.     Remoter  Lands 
Whofe  Lives  ;ay  trufted  in  Najfcvian  Hands 
Transfer  their  Souls,  arid  live  ;  fecure  they  play 
In  thy  mild  Rays,  and  love  the  gro.ving   Day, 

Thy  beamy  Wing  at  once  defends  and  warms 
Fainting  Religion,  whilft  in  various  Forms 
Fair  Piety  mines  thro'  the  Briiijb  Ifles  : 
Here  at  thy  Side,  and  in  thy  kinccft  Smiles* 
Blazing  in  ornamental  Gold  fhe  ftands, 
To  bleis  thy  Councils,  and  aifiit  thy  Hands, 
And  Crowds  wait  round  her  to  receive  Commands. 
There  at  an  humble  Diilance  from  the  Fhronef 
Beauteous  me  lies  ;  her  Luftre  all  ner  own, 
Ungarnifh'd  ;  yet  not  bluihing,  nor  afraid, 
Nor  knows  Suspicion,  nor  affeds  the  Shade  : 
Chearh  I  and  pleas'd  fhe  not  prefumes  to  fhare 
3n  thy  Parental  Gifts,  but  owns  thy  Guardian  Care, 
For  thee,  dear  Sovereign,  endlefs  Vows  arife, 
And  Zeal  with  earthly  Wing  falute  the  Skies 
To  Gain  thy  Safety :  Here  a  folemn  Form 
Of  ar.tient  Words  keeps  the  Devotion  warm, 
And  guides,  but  bounds  our  Wifhes  :  There  the  Mindj 
Feels  its  own  Fire,  and  kindles  unconfin'd 
With  bolder  hopes  :   Yet  ftiil  beyond  our  Vows, 
Thy  lovely  Glories  rife,   thy  fpreading  Terror  grows. 

Princess,  the  World  already  owns  thy  Name  : 
O®,  mount  the   Chariot  of  immortal  Fame* 
Nor  die  to  be  renown'd:  Fame's  louoefl  Breath 
Too  dear  is   purchas'd  by  an  Angel's  Death. 
The  Vengeance  of  thy  Rod,  with  general  Joy, 
Shall  fcourge  Rebellion  and  the  Rival-Boy§  : 
Thy  founding  Arms  his  Gallic  Patron  hears 
And  fpeeds  his  Flight :  not  overtakes  his  Fears  ; 
T;ll  hard  Dcfpair  wring  Irom  the  Tyrants  Soul 
The  iron  Tears  out.     Let  the  Frown  controul 


Our 


*  Thr  tfyabhfrd  Church  of  England. 

|   77  t  ProtlilrMt 

%  The  Protejlan't  frifer, 

I  The  Pretender. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &e,  IQl 

Dur  angry  Jars  at  home,  till  Wrath  fubmit 

Her  impious  Banners   to  thy  faced  Feet.    . 

Mad  Zeal,  and  Frenzy,  with  their  murderous  Train,    1 

Flee  thefe  fweet  Realms  in  thine  aufpicious  Reign,       S 

Envy  expire  in  Rage,  and  Treafon  bite  the  Chain.      j   - 

Let  no  black  Scenes  affright  fair  Albion's  Stage : 
JThy  Thread  of  Life  prolong  our  golden  Age, 
Long  blefs  the  Earth,  and  late  afcend  thy  Throne 
Ethereal ;  (not  thy  Deeds  are  there  unknown, 
l\Tor  there  unfung ;  for  by  thine  awful  Han^s  1 

Heaven  rules  the  Waves,  and  Thunders  o'er  the  Lands,    j> 
Creates  inferior  Kings*,  and  gives  'em  their  Commands.)  J 
Legions  attend  thee  at  the  radiant  Gates  ; 
Fp?thee  thy  Sifter-Seraph,  bleft  MARIA,  waits. 

Bat  oh  !  the  parting  Stroke  !  fome  heavenly  Power 
Chear  thy  fad  Britons  in  the  gloomy  Hour  $ 
Some  new  propitious  Star  appear  on  high 
The  faireft  Glory  of  the  Wefiern  Sky, 
And  ANNA  be  its  Name;  with  gentle  Sway 
jTo  check  the  Planets  of  malignant  Ray, 
Sooth  the  Rude  North  Wind,  and  the  rugged  Bear, 
Calm  rifing  Wars,  heal  the  contagious  Air, 
And  reign  with  peaceful  Influence  to  xhsSoutbern  Sphere 

F  3  PALINODIJ. 

*  She  made  Charhs  the  Emperor's  fecond  Son  Xsng  of 
Spain,  who  is  now  Emperor  of  Germany \ 

Note,  This  Poem  was  written  in  the  Year  1705,  in  that  ho- 
nourable Part  cf  the  Reign  of  our  laie  Queen,  when  /be  bad 
broke  the  French  Pvwer  at  Blenheim,  ajjerted  the  right  of 
Charles  the  prefent  Emperor  to  the  Crown  oj  Spain,  exerted 
her  Zeal  for  the  Proteftant  Succefficn,  and  promifed  inviolably 
to  maintain  the  Toleration  to  the  Proteftant  Dijfenters .  Thus 
/be  appeared  the  chief  Support  of  the  Reformation,  and  the 
Patronefs  of  the  Liberties  of  Europe. 

"the  latter  Fart  of  her  Reign  was  of  a  different  Colour,  and 
was  by  no  means  attended  with  the  Acamplifbrnent  of  ibofe  glori- 
ous Hopes  which  we  had  conceived.  Now  the  Mufe  cannot  Jatit~ 
Jy  berjelf  to  publifa  this  new  Edition  wit  hut  acknowledging 
the  Mifake  oj  her  former  P.  efages  ;  and  while  Jhe  does  the 
World  this  Jujlice,  jhe  does  berjelf  the  Honour  of  a  voluntary 
Retraclion. 

Auguil  1,  1 721, 


10%  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  1 

P  A  L  I  N  0  D  I  A. 

JDRITONS,  forgive  the  forward  Mufe 

That  dar'd  Prophetic  Seals  to  looie, 
(Unfkill'd  in  Fate's  Eternal  Eock) 
And  the  deep  Characters  millook. 

GEORGE  is  the  Name,    that  glorious  Star ; 
Ye  faw  his  Splendors  beaming  far  : 
Saw  in  the  Eafi  your  Joys  arife, 
When  ANNA  funk  in   Weftern   Skies, 
Streaking  the  Heavens  with  Crimfon  Gloom,  i 

Emblems  of  Tyranny  and   Rome, 

Portendm?  Blood  and  Night  to  come.  J 

Twas  GEORGE- tiftas'd  a  vital  Ray, 
And  gave  the  dying  Nations  Day  : 
His  Influence  fooths  the  Ruffian  Bear, 
Cairns  ri fmg  Wars,  and  heals  the  Air  ; 
join'd  with  the  Sun  his  Reams  are  harl'd 
To  fcatter  Blefiings  round  the  World, 
Fulfil  vvhate'er  the  Mufe  has  fpokc, 
And  crown  the  Work  that  ANNE  forfook. 
Aug.  i,  1 72 1. 

T     O 
JOHN    LOCKE,    Efq; 
Retired  from  Bufmefs. 
I. 

ANGELS  are  made  of  Heavenly  Things, 
And  Light  and  Love  our  Souls  compofe, 
Their  Blifs  within  their  Bofbm  fprings, 

Within  their  Bofom  flows, 
33ut  narrow  Minds  ftill  make  Pretence 
To  fearch  the  Coafts  of  Flefn  and  Senfe, 
And  fetch  diviner  Pleafures  thence. 
Men  are  akin  to  Ejhereal  Forms, 
But  they  belye  their  nobler  Birth, 
Debafe  their  Honour  down  to  Earth, 

And  claim  a  Share  with  Worm?. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  103 

II. 

He  that  has  Treafures  of  his  own 
May  leave  the  Cottage  or  the  Throne, 
May  quit  the  Globe,  and  dwell  alone 

Within  his  fpacious  Mind. 
LOCKE  hath  a  Soul  wide  as  the  Sea, 
Calm  as  the  Night,  bright  as  the  Day, 
There  may  his  vaft  Ideas  play, 

Nor  feel  a  Thought  confin'd. 

TO 

JOHN    S  HUT  E,    Efq; 
(Now   Lord   BJRRINGTON) 

On   Mr.    LOCK  E's  dangerous   Sicknefs,  firm   tirfa 
after  be  had  retired  to-  fiudy  the  Scriptures. 

June,  1704. 
I. 

AND    muft  the  Man  of  wondrous  Mind 
(Now  his  rich  Thoughts  are  jail  re^n'd) 

Forfake  our  longing  Eyes  ? 
Reafon  at  Length  fubmits  to  wear 
The  Wings  of  Faith ;  and  lo,  they  rear 
Her  Chariot  high,  and  nobly  bear 

Her  Prophet  to  the  Skies. 
II. 
Go,  Friend,  and  wait  the  Prophet's  Flight? 
Watch  if  his  Mantle  chance  to  light, 

And  feize  it  for  thy  own  ; 
SHUTS  is   the  Darling  of  his  Years, 
Young   S  HUT  E  his  better  Likenefs  bears ; 
All  but  his  Wrinkles  and  his  Hairs 

Are  copy5d  in  his  Son. 
III. 
Thus  when  our  Follies,  or  our  Fau'ts3 
Call  for  the  Pity  of  thy  Thoughts, 

Thy  Pen  fhall  make  us  wife  ; 
The  Sallies  of  whofe  youthful  Wit 
Could  pierce  the  Britijh  Fogs  with  Light, 
Place  our  true  *  Interefi  in  our  Sight, 

And  open  half  our  Eyes. 


The  Inter  eft  of  England,  written  by  I,  S.'  Efq, 


Tb 


104  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  II 

T    O 
Mr.    WILLIAM    N  0  K  E  S. 

Friend/hip, 

FRIENDSHIP,  thou  Charmer  of  the  Mind, 
Thou  fweet  deluding  111, 
The  brighteft  Minutes  Mortals  find, 
And  lharpeft  Hour  we  feeL 
IL 
Fate  has  divided  all  our  Shares 

Of  Pleasure  and  of  Pain ; 
In  love  the  Comforts  and  the  Care* 
Are  mix'd  and  join'd  again. 
III. 
But  whilfl  in  Floods  of  Sorrow  rolls, 

And  Drops  of  Joy  are  few, 
This  dear  Delight  of  mingling  Souls 
Serves  But  to  fwell  our  Woe. 
IV. 
Oh  !  why  fhouH  Blifs  depart  in  hade, 

And  Friendship  flay  to  moan  ! 
Why  the  fond  Paflion  cling  fo  fail, 
When  every  Joy  is  gone  ? 
V. 
Yet  never  let  our  Hearts  divide, 

Nor  Death  difiblve  the  Chain  : 
For  Love  and  Joy  were  once  aily'd, 
And  mult  be  join'd  again. 

T    O 

NATHANAEL    GOULD,    Efq5 

NOW 

Sir  NATHANAEL  GOULD. 

1704. 
I. 
JfT"*  I  S  not  by  Splendour,  or  by  State, 
X      Exalted  Mein,  or  lofty  Gait, 
My  Mufe  takes  Meafure  of  a  King  : 

It 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  Sec.  105 

If  Wealth,  or  Height,  or  Bulk  will  do, 
She  calls  each  Mountain  of  Peru 

A  more  Majeftic  Thing. 
Frown  on  me,  Friend,  if  e'er  I  boafl: 
O'er  Fellow-Minds  enflav'd  in  Clay, 
Or  f»vell  when  I  ihsli  have  engroit 
A  larger  Heap  of  {hiriing  Duft, 
And  wear  a  bigger  Load  of  Earth  than  they. 
[    Let  the  vain  World  falute  me  loud, 
My  Thoughts  look  inward,  and  forget 
The  founding  Names  of  High  and  Great, 
The  Flatteries  of  the  Crowd. 
II. 

When   GOULD  commands  his  Ships  to  run 
And  fearch  the  Traffick  of  the  Sea, 
His  Fleet  o'ertakes  the  falling  Day, 
And  bears  the  Wejtsm  Mines  away, 
Or  richer  Spices  from  the  rifmg  Sun  : 
While  the  glad  Tenants  of  the  Shore 
Shout,  and  pronounce  him  Senator*, 

Yet  ft  ill  the  Man's  the  fame  : 
For  well  the  happy  Merchant  knows 
The  Soul  with  Treafure  never  grows, 
Nor  fvvells  with  airy  Fame. 
III. 
But  trait  me,   GOULD,  'tis  lawful  Pride 
To  rife  above  the  mean  Controul 
Of  Flefli  and  Senfe,  to  which  we're  ty'd  ; 
This  is  Ambition  that  becomes  a  Soul. 

We  fteer  our  Courfe  up  thro'  the  Skies  ; 
Farewel  this  barren  Land  : 
We  ken  the  heavenly  Shore  with  longing  Eyes, 
There  the  dear  Wealth  of  Spirits  lies, 
And  beckoning  Angels  ftand. 

T     O 

p?.    THOMAS    GIBSON. 

The  Life  of  Souls. 

I-  1704. 

SWIFT  as  the  Sun  revolves  the  Day 
We  haften  to  the  Dead, 

Slaves 
*  Member  of  Parliament  for  a  Port  in  Suflex, 


ic6  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book 

Slaves  to  the  Wind  we  puff  away, 

And  to  the  Ground  we  tread. 
'Tis  Air  that  lends  us  Life,  when  firft 

The  vital  Bellows  heave  : 
Our  Flefh  we  borrow   of  the  Bull  ; 
And  when  a  Mother's  Care  has  nurft 
The  Babe  to  manly  Size,  we  mull 

With  Ufury  pay  the  Grave. 
II. 
Rich  Juleps  drawn  from  precious  Ore 

Still  tend  the  dying  Flame  : 
And  Plants,   and  Roots,  of  barbarous  Name, 

Torn  from  the  Indian  Shore. 
Thus  we  fupport  our  tott'ring  Flefh, 

Our  Cheeks  refume  the  Rofe  afrem, 
When  Bark  and  Steel  play  well  their  Game 

To  fave  our  finking  Breath, 
And    GIBSON,  with  his  awful  Power, 
Refcues  the  poor  precarious  Hour 
From  the  Demands  of  Death. 
HI. 
But  Art  and  Nature,  Pow'rs  and  Charms, 
And  Drugs,  and  Recipes,  and  Forms, 
Yield  us,  at  laft,  to  greedy  Worms. 

A  defpicable  Prey  ; 
I'd  have  a  Life  to  call  my  own, 
That  mail  depend  on  Heaven  alone  » 

Nor  Air,  nor  Earth,  nor  Sea 
%A\x  their  bafe  EfTences  with  mine, 
>Tor  claim  Dominion  fo  Divine 
To  give  me  leave  to  Be. 
...  IV. 
Sure  there's  a  Mind  within,    that  reigns 
O'er  the  dull  Current  of  my  Veins ; 
1  feel  the  inward  Pulfe  beat  high 
With  vig'rous  Immortality. 
Xet  Earth  refume  the  Flefh  it  gave, 
And  Breath  diffolve  amongft  the  Winds ; 
GIBSON,    the  Things  that  fear  a  Grave, 
That  I  can  lofe,  or  you  can  fave, 
Are  not  akin  to  Minds. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  107 

V. 
We  claim  Acquaintance  with  the  Skies, 
Upward  our  Spirits  hourly  rife, 

And  there  our  Thoughts  employ  : 
When  Heaven  fhall  f:gn  our  Grand  Releafe, 
We  are  no  Strangers  to  the  Place, 

The  Bufinefs,  or  the  Joy. 

############ #  # ####### 
Falfe  Greatnefs, 

7LfTZ  0,    forbear  to  call  him  bleft 

That  only  boafts  a  large  Eitate, 
Should  all  the  Treafures  of  the  Weft 
Meet,  and  confpire  to  make  him  Great. 
I  know  thy  better  Thoughts,  I  know 
Thy  Reafon  can't  defcend  ib  low. 
Let  a  broad  Stream  with  golden  Sands 

Thro'  all  his  Meadows  roll, 
He's  but  a  Wretch,  with  all  his  Lands, 
That  wears  a  narrow  Soul. 
II. 
Ke  fwclls  amidft  his  wealthy  Store, 
And  proudly  poizing  what  he  weighs, 
In  his  own  Scale  he  fondly  lays 

Huge  Heaps  of  mining  Ore. 
He  fpreads  the  Baliance  wide  to  hold 

His  Manors  and  his  Farms, 
And  cheats  the  Beam  with  Loads  of  Gold 

He  hugs  between  his  Arms. 
So  might  the  Plough-Boy  climb  a  Tree, 

When  Crccfus  mounts  his  Throne, 
And  both  Hand  up,  and  {mile  to  fee 

How  long  their  Shadow's  grown. 
Alas !  how  vain  their  Fancies  be 

To  think  that  Shape  their  own  ! 
III. 
Thus  mingled  ftill  with  Wealth  and  State, 
Craefus  himfelf  can  never  know  ; 
His  true  Dimenfions  and  his  Weight. 
Are  far  inferior  to  their  Show. 
Were  I  fo  tall  to  reach  the  Pole, 
Ot  grafp  the  Ocean  with  my  Span, 

Inmfl 


■168  LTRIC    POEMS,         BookU 

I  mull  be  meafur'd  by  my  Soul  : 
The  Mind's  the  Standard  of  the  Man. 

T     O 

S    A    R    I    S    S    J. 
An   EPISTLE. 

BEAR  np,  SJRISSJ,  thro'  the  ruffling  Storms 
Of  a  vain  vexing  World  :  Tread  down  the  Cares 
Thofe  ragged  Thorns  that  lie  acrofs  the  Road, 
Nor  fpend  a  Tear  upon  them.     Truft  the  Mufe» 
She  fings  experienc'd  Truth  :  This  briny  Dew, 
This  Rain  of  Eyes  will  make  the  Briars  grow. 
We  travel  thro'  a  Defart,  and  our  Feet 
Have  meafur'd  a  fair  Space,  have  left  behind 
A  thoufand  Dangers,  and  a  thoufand  Snares 
Well  fcap'd.     Adieu,  ye  Horrors  of  the' Dark, 
Ye  fininYd  Labours,  and  ye  tedious  Toils 
Of  Days  and  Hours  :  The  Twinge  of  real  Smart* 
And  the  falie  Terrors  of  ill  boding  Dreams 
Vanifh  together,  be  alike  forgot, 
for  ever  blended  in  one  common  Grave. 

Farewel,  ye  waxing  and  ye  waning  Moons, 
That  we  have  watch'd  behind   the  Hying  Clouds 
On  Night's  dark  Hill,  or  fetting  or  afcending, 
Or  in  Meridian  Height :  Then  Silence  reign'd 
O'er  half  the  World  ;  then  ye  beheld  oar  Tears, 
Ye  witnefs'd  our  Complaints,  our  Kindred  Groans, 
(Sad  Harmony  !)  while  with  your  beamy  Horns 
Or  richer  Orb  ye  filver'd  o'er  the  Green 
Where  trod  our  Feet,  and  lent  a  feeble  Light 
To  Mourners.     Now  ye  have  fulftU'd  your  Round, 
Thofe  Hours  are  fled,  farewel.   /Months  that  are  gone 
Are  gone  for  ever,  and  have  borne  away 
Each  his  own  Load.     Our  Woes  and  Sorrows  pair, 
Mountainous  Woes,  ftill  leflen  as  they  fly 
Far  off.     So  Billows  in  a  flormy  Sea, 
Wave  after  Wave  (a  long  Succeflion)  roll 
Beyond  the  Ken  of  Sight ;  The  Sailors  fafe 
Look  far  a-itern  till  they  have  loft  the  Storm, 
And  fnout  their  boiilerous  Joys.     A  gentler  Mufe 
Sings  thy  dear  Safety,  and  commands  thy  Cares 

To 


Sacred  to  Virtue,-  kt.  109 

To  dark  Oblivion  ;  bury'd  deep  in  Night 
Lofe  them,  S  A  R  I S  S  A,  and  affift  my  Song, 

t 

Awake  thy  Voice,  img  how  the  flender  Line- 
Of  Fate's  immortal   NOW  divides  the  Pail 
IFrom  all  the  Future,  with  eternal  Bars 
(Forbidding  a  Return.     The  paft  Temptations 

•  JNo  more  mall  vex  us  ,*  every  Grief  we  feel 
Shortens  the  deitin'd  Number ;  every  Pulfe 
Beat  a  fharp  Moment  of  the  Pain  away, 
And  the  lait  Stroke  will  come.     By  Iwift  Degrees 
Time  fweeps  us  off,  and  we  (hall  foon  arrive 
At  Life's  fweet  Period  :  O  Celeftial  Point 

j  That  ends  this  mortal   Story  1 

But  if  a  Glimpfe  of  Light  with  fTatt'rfng  Raj- 
Breaks  thro'  the  Clouds  of  Life,  or  wandring  Fire 
Amidfi  the  Shades  invite  your  doubtful  Feet, 
Beware  the  dancing  Meteor ;  faithlefs  Guide, 
That  leads  the  lonefome  Pilgrim  wide  aftray 
To  Bogs,  and  Fens,  and  Pits,  and  certain  Death  t 
Should  vicious  Pleafure  take  an  Angel-Form 
And  at  a  Diftance  rife,   by  flow  Degrees, 
Treacherous,  to  wind  herfelf  into  your  Heart, 
Stand  firm  aloof ;  nor  let  the  gaudy  Phantom 
Too  long  allure  your  Gaze  :  The  juft  Delight 
That  Heaven  indulges  lawful  mult  obey 
Superior  Powers ;  nor  tempt  your  Thoughts  too  far 
In  Slavery  to  Senfe,  nor  Iwell  yoar  Hope 
To  dang'rous  Size  :  If  it  approach  yotrr  Feet 
And  court  your  Hand,  forbid  th'  intruding  Joy 
To  fit  too  near  your  Heart :  Still  may  our  Souls 
Claim  Kindred  with  the  Skies,  nor  mix  with  B\a£L 
Our  better-born  Affe&ions  ;  leave  the  Globe 
A  Nell  for  Worms,  and  haften  to  our  Home. 

O  there  are  Gardens  of  th'  immortal  Kind 
That  crown  the  heavenly  Eden's  rifing  Hills 
With  Beauty  and  with  Sweets  ;  no  lurking  Mifchief 
Dwells  in  the  Fruit,  nor  Serpent  twines  the  Boughs ; 
The  Branches  bend  laden  with  Life  and  Blifs 
&;pe  for  the  Tafte,  but  'tis  a  fteep  Afcent ; 

Hold 


no  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  " 

Hold  fail  the  *  Golden  Chain  let  down  from  Heav'n, 
'Twill  help  your  Feet  and  Wings ;  I  feel  its  Force 
Draw  upwards  ;  faitea'd  to  the  Pearly  Gate 
It  guides  the  Way  unerring  :  Kapp\  Clue 
Thro'  this  dark  Wild  i  'Twas  Wifdom's  nobleft  Work, 
And  joiri'd  by  Power  Divine,  and  every  Link  is  Love. 
*   Ihe  Go/pel. 

T     O 

Mr.   T.    BRADBURT. 
Paradife. 


Y 


I. 


170S 


O  U  N  G  as  I  am  I  quit  the  Stage, 
Nor  will  I  know  th'  Applaufes  of  the  Age  ; 
Farewel  to  growing  Frame.     I  leave  below 
A  Life  not  half  worn  out  with  Cares, 
Or  Agonies,  or  Years ; 
I  leave  my  Country  all  in  Tears, 
But  Heaven  demands  me  upward,  and  I  dare  to  go. 
Amongft  Ye,  Friends,  divide  and  lhare 

The  Remnant  of  my  Days, 
If  ye  have  Patience  and  can  bear 
A  long  Fatigue  of  Life,  and  drudge  thro'  all  the  Race. 

Haik,  my  fair  Guardian  chides  my  flay, 

And  waves  his  golden  Rod  : 
"  Angel,'  I  come  ;  lead  on  the  Way  : 

And  now  by  fwift  Degrees 
I  fail  aloft  thro'  Azure  Seas, 

Now  tread  the  milky  Road  : 
Farewel,  ye  Planets,  in  your  Spheres ; 
And  as  the  Stars  are  loll,  a  brighter  Sky  appears. 

In  hafte  for  Paradife 
I  ftretch  the  Pinions  of  a  bolder  Thought ; 

Scarce  had  I  will'd,  but  I  was  pall 
Defarts  of  tracklefs  Light  and  all  th'  Ethereal  Wafte, 

And  to  the  facred  Borders  brought ; 
There  on  the  Wing  a  Guard  of  Cherubs  lies, 

Each  waves  a  keen  Flame  as  he  flies, 
And  well  defends  Walls  from  Sieges  and  Surprize. 

III. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  in 

III. 
With  pleafing  Rev'rence  I  behold 
The  Pearly  Portals  wide  unfold  : 
Enter,  my  Soul,  and  view  th'  amazing  Scenes  5 
Sit  fait  upon  the  flying  Mufe, 

And  let  thy  roving  Wonder  loofe 
O'er  all  th'  Empyreal  Plains. 
Noon  Hands  Eternal  here  :  here  may  thy  Sight 
Prink  in  the  Rays  of  PrKmogenial  Light ; 
Here  breathe  Immortal  Air  : 
Joy  mull  beat  high  in  ev'ry  Vein, 
Pleafure  thro'  ail  thy  Bofom  reign  ; 
The  Laws  forbid  the  Stranger,  Pain, 
And  baniih  every  Care. 
IV. 
See  how  the  bubbling  Springs  of  Love 

Beneath  the  Throne  arife  ; 
The  Streams  in  Cryftal  Channels  move, 
Around  the  golden  Streets  they  rove, 
And  blefs  the  Mamions  of  the  upper  Skies. 
There  a  fair  Grove  of  Knowledge  grows, 
Nor  Sin  nor  Death  infects  the  Fruit ; 
Young  Life  hangs  frefh  on  all  the  Boughs,. 

And  fprings  from  ev'ry  Root ; 
Here  may  the  greedy  Senies  feafl 
While  Extafyand  Health  attends  on  every  Tafte. 

With  the  fair  Profpect  charm'd  I  Hood ; 
Fearl'efs  I  feed  on  the  delicious  Fare, 
And  drink  profufe  Salvation  from  the   Silver  Floods 
Nor  can  Excefs  be  there, 
V. 
In  facred  Order  rang'd  along 

Saints  new-releas'd  by  Death 
Join  the  bold  Seraph's  warbling  Breath> 

And  aid  th'  Immortal  Song. 
Each  has  a  Voice  that  tunes  his  Strings 
To  mighty  Sounds,  and  mighty  Things, 

Things  of  everlaiting  Weight, 
Sounds,  like  the  fofter  Viol,  fweet, 

And,  like  the  Trumpet,  ftrong, 
Diviae  Attention  held  my  Soul> 
I  was  all  Ear  ! 

Thro3 


ii2  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  II. 

Thro'  all  my  Povv'rs  the  heavenly  Accents  roll, 

I  long'd  and  wiih'd  my  B  RAD  BURT  there ; 
"  Could  he  but  hear  thefe  Notes,  I  (kid, 
"  His  tuneful  Soul  wou'd  never  bear 
"  The  dull  unwinding  of  Liie's  tedious  Thread, 
"  But  buril  the  vital  Chords  to  reach  the  happy  Dead. 

And  now  my  Tongue  prepares  to  join 
The  Harmony,  and  with  a  noble  Aim 

Attempts  th'  unalterable  Name, 
But  faints,  confounded  by  the  Notes  Divine  : 
Again  my  Soul  th'  unequal  Honour  fought, 

Again  her  utmoft  Force  ihe  brought, 
And  bow'd  beneath  the  Burden  of  th'  unwieldy  Thought, 

Thrice  I  efiay'd,  and  fainted  thrice  ; 
Th'  Immortal  Labour  ftrain'd  my  feeble  Frame, 
Broke  the  bright  Virion,  and  diilblv'd  the  Dream ; 

1  funk  at  once  and  loll  the  Skies  : 

In  vain  I  fought  the  Scenes  of  Light 

Rolling  abroad  my  longing  Eyes, 
For  all  around  'em  flood  my  Curtains  and  the  Night. 

Strift  Religion  very  rare. 
L 

I'M  born  aloft,  and  leave  the  Crowd, 
I  fail  upon  a  Morning  Cloud 
Skirted  with  dawning  Gold  : 
Mine  Eyes  beneath  the  opening  Day 
Command  the  Globe  with    wide  Survey, 
Where  Ants  in  bufy  Millions  play, 
And  tue;  and  heave  the  Mould. 

s  ii. 

«c  Are  thefe  the  Things  (my  Paffion  cry'd)' 
"  That  we  call  Men  I  Are  thefe  ally'd 

"  To  the  fair  Worlds  of  Light  ? 
"  They  have  ras'd  out  their  Maker's  Name, 
**  Grav'n  on  their   Minds  with  pointed  Flame 
"  In  itrokes  divinely  brie 

III. 
4t  Wretches !  they  hate  th  \u    ,ative  Skies ; 
*'  If  an  Ethereal  Thought  ariie, 

Or 


Sacred  to  ViRTtfE,  &C.  113 

Or  Spark  of  Virtue  Ihine, 

With  cruel  Force  they  damp  its  Plumes, 

Choke  the  young  Fire  with  fenfuai  Fumes, 

"  With  Bufinefs,  Lull*  or  WTine. 
IV. 

Lo  !  how  they  throng  with  panting  Breath 

"  The  broad  defcending  Road 

That  leads  unerring  down  to  Death, 

"  Nor  mifs  the  dark  Abode. 
Thus  while  I  drop  a  Tear  or  two 
On  the  wild  Herd,  a  noble  few 
Dare  to  ftray  upward,  and  purfue 

Th'  unbeaten  Way  to  God. 
V. 

I  met  Myrttllo  mounting  hight 
I  knew  his  candid  Soul  afar  ; 
Here  Dorylus  and  Tbyrfis  fly 

Each  like  a  riling  Star, 
Cbarin  I  faw  and  Fidea  there, 
I  few  them  help  each  other's  Flight, 

And  blefs  them  as  they  go  ; 
They  foar  beyond  my  lab'ring  Sight, 
And  leave  their  Loads  of  mortal  Car?,    ' 

But  not  their  Love  below. 
On  Heav'n,  their  Home,  they  fix  their  Eyes, 

The  Temple  of  their  God  : 
With  Morning  Incenfe  up  they  rife 
Sublime,  and  thro'  the  lower  Skies 

Soread  the  Perfumes  abroad. 
VI. 
Acrofs  the  Road  a  Seraph  flew, 
««  Mark,  (faid  he)  that  happy  Pai*, 
"  Marriage  helps  Devotion  there  : 
**  When  kindred  Minds  their  God   purfue 
"  They  break  with  double  Vigour  thro' 

'*  The  dull  incumbent  Air. 
CharnTd  with  the  Pleafure  and  Surprize 

My  Soul  adores  and  rings, 
"  Bleft  be  the  Pow'r  that  fprings  their  Flight, 
**  That  ftreaks  their  Path  with  heavenly  Light, 
u  That  turns  their  Love  to  Sacrifice, 

*"  And  joins  their  Zeal  for  Wings. 

To 


ii4  LYRIC    POEMS,        Bookll 

T     O 

Mr.  C.  and  S.  FLE  ETWOO  D. 
I. 

VLEETJVOODS,  young  generous  Pair, 

Defpif*  the  joys  that  Fools  purfue  j 
Bubbles  are  light  and  brittle  too, 
Born  of  the  Water  and  the  Air. 
Try'd  by  a  Standard  bold  andjuft. 
Honour  and  Gold  and  Paint  and  Dufl ; 
How  vile  the  lafl  is  and  as  vain  the  firft  ? 

Things  that  the  Crowd  call  great  and  brave, 

With  me  how  low  their  Value's  brought  ? 

Titles  and  Names,  and  Life  and  Breath, 

Slaves  to  the  Wind  and  born  for  Death ; 

The  Soul's  the  only  Thing  we  have 

Worth  an  important  Thought. 

II. 

The  Soul  !  'tis  of  th'  immortal  kind, 

Nor  form'd  of  Fire,  or  Earth,  or  Wind,  (hind. 

Out-lives  the  mouldring  Corps,  and  leaves  the  Globe  be* 

In  Limbs  of  Clay  tho'  fhe  appears, 
Array'd  in  rofy  Skin,  and  deck'd  with  Ears  and  Eyes, 

The  Fleih  is  but  the  Soul's  Difguife, 
There's  nothing  in  her  Frame  kin  to  the  Drefs  flie  wears  : 
From  all  the  Laws  of  Matter  free, 
From  all  we  feel,  and  all  we  fee, 
She  Hands  eternally  diitinct,  and  mufr  for  ever  b*. 
III. 
Rife  then,  my  Thoughts,  on  high, 
Soar  beyond  all  that's  made  to  die  ; 
Lo  !  on  an  awful  Throne 
Sits  the  Creator  and  the  Judge  of  Souls, 

Whirling  the  Planets  round  the  Poles 
Winds  off  our  Threads  of  Life,  and  brings  our  Periods  en. 
Swift  the  Approach,   and  folemn  is  the  Day? 
When  this  immortal  Mind 
Stript  of  the  Body's  coarfe   Array 
To  endiefs  Pain,  or  endlefs  Joy, 
Mull  be  at  once  confign'd. 


Sacred  /$  Virtue,  &g?  115 

IV. 

Think  of  the  Sands  run  down  to  wafte, 
We  poiTefs  none  of  al]  the  Pail, 
None  but  the  Prefent  is  our  own ; 
Grace  is  not  plac'd  within  our  Power, 
'Tis  but  one  fhort,  one  ihining  Hour, 
Bright  and  declining  as  a  fetting  Sun, 
See  the  white  Minutes  wing'd  with  hade ; 
The  NOW  that  flies  may  be  the  laft  > 
Seize  the  Salvation  e'er  'tis  pail, 
Nor  mourn  the  Bleffing  gone  : 
A  Thought's  Delay  is  Ruin  here, 
A  clofing  Eye,  a  gafping  Breath 
Shuts  up  the  golden  Scene  in  Death, 
And  drowns  you  in*  Defpair. 

T    O 

WILLI AM  BLJCKBOURN,    E% 

Cafimir.  Lib.  II.  Od.  2.  imitated. 

Qua  tegit  canas  modo  Brumo  valks,  &c. 

I. 

MARK  how  it  Snows !  how  fail  the  Valley  fills ! 
And  the  fweet  Groves  the  hoary  Garment  wear  ; 
Yet  the  warm  Sun-beams  bounding  from  the  Hills 
Shall  melt  the  Vail  away,  and  the  young  Green  appear. 

II. 
But  when  old  Age  has  on  your  Temples  fhed 
Her  Silver-Froft,  there's  no  returning  Sun  ; 
Swift  flies  our  Autumn,  fvvift  our  Summer's  fled,     (gone. 
When  Youth,  and  Love,  and  Spring,  and  golden  Joys  are 

III. 
Then  Cold,  and  Winter,  and  your  aged  Snow, 
Stick  fail  upon  you,    not  the  rich  Array, 
Not  the  Green  Garland,  nor  the  rofy  Bough 
Shall  cancel  or  conceal  the  melancholy  Grey, 

IV. 
The  Chafe  of  Pleafures  is  not  worth  the  Pains, 
While  the  bright  Sands  of  Health  run  wailing  down; 
And  Honour  calls  you  from  the  fofter  Scenes, 
To  fell  the  gaudy  Hour  for  Ages  cf  Renown. 

V, 


n6  LYRIC    POEMS,       Bo6k  ll| 

V. 

'Tis  but  one  Youth,  and  fhort,  that  Mortals  have, 
And  one  old  Age  diffolves  our  feeble  Frame; 
But  there's  a  heavenly  Art  t'  elude  the  Grave> 
And  with  the  Hero-Race  Immortal  Kindred  claim. 

VI. 
The  Man  that  has  his  Country's  facred  Tears 
Bedewing  his  cold  Kearfe,  has  liv'd  his  Day :  (Heirs  ; 

Thus,  BLACKBOURN,  we  mould  leave  our  Names  our 
Old  Time  and  waning  Moons  fvveep  all  the  reit  away. 

"True  Monarchy* 

I    ' 1701. 

'    >  I  VHE  rifing  Year  behold  th'  imperious  Gaul 

X      Stretch  his  Dominion,  while  a  hundred  Towns 
Crouch'd   to  the  Victor  :  bat  a  fteidy  Soul 
Stands  firm  on  its  own  Bafe,  and  reigns  as  wide, 
As  abfolute  ;  and  (Ways  ten  thoufand  Slaves,       . 
Lulls  and  wild  Fancies  with  a  fovereign  Hand.  J 

We  are  a  little  Kingdom  ;  but  the  Man 
That  chains  his  Rebel  Will  to  Reafon's  Throne, 
Forms  it  a  large  one,  whilit.  his  Royal  Mind 
Makes  Heaven  its  Council,  from  the  Rolls  above 
Draws  its  own  Statutes,  and  with  Joy  obeys. 

'Tis  not  a  Troop  of  well-appointed  Guard* 
Create  a  Monarch,  not  a  purple  Robe 
Dy'd  in  the  People's  Blood,  not  all  the  Crowns 
Or  dazling  Tiars  that  bend  about  the  Head, 
Thcr*  gilt  with  Sun-beams  and  fet  round  with  Stars. 
A  Monarch  He  that  conquers  all  his  Fears, 
And  ireads  upon  them  ;  when  he  Hands  alone, 
Makes  his  own  Camp;  four  Guardian  Virtues  wait 
His  nightly  Slumbers,  and  fecure  his  Dreams. 
Now   dawns  the  Light;  he  ranges  all  his    Thoughts 
In  fquare  Battalions,  bold  m  meet  th'  Attacks 
Of  Time  and  CI  ance,  himfelf  a  num'rous  Hoft, 
All  Eye,  all  i.ar,  all  wakeful  as  the  Day, 
Firm  as  a  Rock',   and  movelefs  as  the  Centre. 

In  vain  the  Harlot,  Pleafure,  fpreads  her  Charms, 
To  lull  his  Thoughts  in  Luxury's  fair  Lap, 

To 


Sacred  U  Virtue,  &c.  UJ 

To  fenfual  Eafe,   (the  Bane  of  little  Kings, 

,4onarchs  whole  waxen  images  of  Souls 

ire  moulded  into  Softnefe)  rtill  his  Mind 

Vears  its  own  Shape,  nor  can  the  heavenly  Form 

koop  to  be  modePd  by  the  wild  Decrees 

3i  the  mad  Vulgar,  that  unthinking  Herd. 

He  lives  above  the  Crowd,  nor  hears  the  Noife   . 
3f  Wars  and  Triumphs,  nor  regards  the  Shouts 
Df  popular  Applaufe,  that  empty  Sound  ; 
Sor  feels  the  Hying  Arrows  of  Reproach, 
Dr  Spite  or  Envy.     In  himfelf  fecure, 
jjtfiidom  his  Tower,  and  Confcience  is  his  Shield^ 
His  Peace  all  inward,  and  his  joys  his  own. 


Now  my  Ambition  fwells,  my  Wilhes  foar, 
This  be  my  Kingdom  :  fit  above  the  Globe 
My  riling  Soul,  and  drefs  thyfelf  around 
And  Ihine  in  Virtue's  Armour,  climb  the  Heigh| 
Of  Wifdom's  lofty  Caltle,  there  refide 
Safe  from  the  fmiling  and  the  frowning  World, 

Yet  once  a  Day  drop  down  a  gentle  Look 
On  the  great  Mole-hole,  and  with  pitying  Eye 
Survey  the  bufy  Emmets  round  the  Heap, 
Crouding  and  buitling  in  a  thoufand  Forms 
Of  Strife  and  Toil,  to  purchafe  Wealth  and  Fame, 
A  Bubble  or  a  Dull :  Then  call  thy  Thoughts 
Up  to  thy  felf  to  feed  on  Joys  unknown, 
Rich  without  Gold,  and  Great  without  Renown. 

True  Courage 9 

HONOUR  demands  my  Song.     Forget  the  Ground, 
My  generous  Mule,  and  fit  among  the  Stars  1 
There  fmg  the  Soul,  that,  confeicus  of  her  Birth, 
Lives  like  a  Native  of  the  vital  World, 
Amongft  thefe  dying   Clods,  and  hears  her  State 
Jull  to  her  felf:  now   nobly  {he  maintains 
Her  Character,  fuperior  to  the  Flefh, 
.She  weilds  her  Paflions  like  her  Limbs,  and  knows 
The  brutal  Powers  were  only  born  t'  obey. 


n8  LY  R  I  C    P  0  E  M  S,       Book  I 

This  is  the  Man  whom  Storms  could  never  make 
Meanly  complain  ;  nor  can  a  flatt*ring  Gale 
Make  him  talk  proudly  :  he  hath  no  Defire 
To  read  ins  fecret  Fate;  yet  unconcem'd 
And  calm  pould  meet  his  unborn  Deitiny, 
In  all  its  charmir^,  or  its  frightful  Shapes. 

He  that  unfhrinking,  and  without  a  Groan, 
Bears  the  firfl  Wound,  may  finifri  all  the  War 
With  meer  courageous  Silence,  and  come  off 
Conqueror:  for  the  Man  that  well  conceals 

The  heavy  Strokes  of  fate,  he  bears  'em  well. 

He,  tho'  tWdtlaniic  and  the  Midland  Seas 
With  adverfe  Surges  meet,  and  riCe  on  high 
Sufpended  'twixt  the  Winds,   they  rufh  amain 
Mingled  with  Flames,   upon  his  firigle  Head, 
And  Clouds,  and  Stars,  and  Thunder,  firm  he  ftands, 
Secure  of  his  belt  Life  ;   unhurt,   unmov'd  ; 
And  drops  his  lower  Nature,    born  for  Death. 
Then  from  the  lofty  Caftle  of  his  Mind 
Sublime  looks  down,  exulting,  and  furveys 
The  Ruins  of  CreatF  n  ;  (Souls  alone 
Are  Heirs  of  dying  Worlds ;)   a  piercing  Glance 
Shoots  upwards  from  between  his  clofing  Lids, 
To  reach  his  Birth- place,  and  without  a  Sigh 
He  bids  his  batfer'd  Fiem  lie  gently  down 
Amongft  his  native  Rubbilh ;  whillt  the  Spirit 
Breathes  and  flics  upward,  an  undoubted  Gueft 
Of  the  third  Heaven,  th'  unruinable  Sky. 

Thither,  when  Fate  has  brought  our  willings  Souls, 
No  matter  whether  'twas  a  fharp  Difeafe, 
Or  a  fharp  Sword   that  help'd  the  Travellers  on, 
And   pum'd  us  to  our  Home.     Bear  up,  my  Friend, 
Sereneiy,  ana  break  thro'  the  flormy  Brine 
With  ileady  Prow  ;   know,  we  ihall  once  arrive 
At  the  fair  Haven  of  Eternal  Bli&. 
To  which  we  ever  fteei  ;   whetnef  as  Kings 
Of  wide  Command  we've  fpread  the  fpjeious  Sea 
With  a  broad  painted  Fleet,  or  row'd  along 
In  a  thin  Cock-boat  with  a  little  Oar. 

There 


Sawed  to  Virtue,  kc.  119 

There  let  my  native  Plank  fhift  me  to  Land 
d  I'll  be  happy  ;  Thus  I'll  leap  afliore 
yful  and  fearlefs  on  th'  Immortal  Coait, 
ice  all  I  leave  is  mortal,  and  it  mufl  be  loft. 

To  the   much  Honour'd 
Mr.     T   H   O    M   A   S      R    O    TV  E, 

The  Director  of  my  Youthful  Studies. 
Free  Philofophy, 
I. 
"MJSTOM,  that  Tyrannefs  of  Fools, 
^j  That  leads  the  Learned  round  the  Schools, 
1  Magic  Chains  of  Forms  and  Pvules  ! 
My  Genius  ilorms  her  Throne  : 
fo  more,  ye  Slaves,  with  Awe  profound 
eat  the  dull  Track,   nor  dance  the   Round  ; 
iOofe  Hands,  and  quit  th'  inchanted  Ground  : 
Knowledge  invites  us  each  alone. 

II.- 
hate  thefe  Shackles  of  the  Minds 
Forg'd  by  the  haughty  Wife  ; 
Jouls  were  not  born  to  be  confin'd, 
\nd  led,  like  Sampfon,  blind  and  bound  ; 
But  when  his  native  Strength  he  found 

He  well  aveng'd  his  Eyes. 
[  love  thy  gentle  Influence,  R  O  W  E, 
Thy  gentle  Influence  like  the  Sun, 
Dnly  diiTolves  the  frozen  Snow, 
Lhen  bids  our  Thoughts  like  Rivers  flow, 
knd  choofe  the  Channels  where  they  run. 
III. 
Thoughts  fhould  be  free  as  Fire  or  Wind ; 
The  Pinions  of  a  single  Mind    ' 

Will  thro5   aii  Nature  rty  : 
But  who  can  drapr  up   to   the  Poles 
Long  fetter'c  Ranks  of  Leaden  Souls  ? 
A  Genius  which  no  Chain  controuls 
Rove?  witrj  Delight,  cr  deep,  or  high  : 
Swift  I  fuivey  the  Glebe  around, 
Dive  to  the  Cent-re 'thro'  the  fclid  Ground, 
Or  travel  o'er  the  Sky. 


i^o  LT  R  1  C    POEMS,       Book  II I 

To  the  Reverend 

Mr.   BENONIROJV  E. 

The  B'ay  of  the  Multitude. 

T)  0  JVE,  if  we  make  thef  Crowd  our  Guide 

Thro'  Life's  unce-tain  Road, 
Mean  is  the  Chafe ;  and  wandering  wide 

We  mifs  th'  immortal  Good  ; 
Yet  if  my  Thoughts  could  be  confin'd 
To  follow  any  Leader-Mind, 
Td  mark  thy  Steps,  and  treau  the  farne^ 
.Dre'.t  in  thy  Notions  I'd  appear 
Not  like  a  Soul  of  mortal  Frame, 

Nor  with  a  vulgar  Air. 

Ir-  « 

Men  live  at  Random  and  by  Chance, 

Bright  Reajfon  never  leado  the  Dance; 
Whiht  in  the  broad   and  beaten  Way 

O'er  Dales  and  Hiiis  from    Truth  we  ftray, 
To  Ruin  we  defcend.  to  Ruin  we  advance. 

Wikicm  retires;  me  hates  the  Crowd, 
And  v\ith  a  decent  Scorn 
Aloel  me  climbs  her  fteepy  Seat, 
Where  nor  the  grave  nor  gidd)  Feet, 
Of  the  learn'd  Vulgar  or  the  Rude, 

Have  e'er  a  PafTage  worn. 
IJI. 
Meer  Hazard  firft  began  the  Track, 
Where  Cuftom  leads  her  Thoufands  blind 

In  willing  Chains  and  ftrong  ; 
There's  fcarce  one  bold,  one  noble  Mind, 
Dares  tread  the  fatal  Error  back  ; 
But  Hand  in  Hand  our  felves  we  bind 

And  drag  the  Age  along. 
JV. 
Mortals,  a  favage  Herd  and  loud 
As  Billows  on  a  noify  Flood 

In  rapid  Order  roll  : 
Example  makes  the  Mifchief  good  : 
With  jocund  Heel  we  beat  the  Road, 

Unhecdful  of  the  Goal. 

M* 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  121 

lie  let  f  IthuriePs  friendly  Wing 

natch  from  the  Crowd,  and  bear  fublime 

To  Wifdom's  lofty  Tower,. 
Thence  to  furvey  that  wretched  Thing, 
Mankind  ;  and  in  exalted  Rhime 

Blefs  the  delivering  Power. 

IthurieUi  the  Name  of  an  Angel  in  MiltonV  Parsdife  Loft. 

To  the  Reverend 
Mr.  JOHN   HOWE. 

1704,-' 
I. 

GREAT  Man,  .permit  the  Mufe  to  climb 
And  feat  her  at  thy  Feet, 
Bid  her  attempt  a  Thought  fublime, 

And  confecrate  her  Wit. 
I  feel,  I  feel  th'  attractive  Force 

Of  thy  fuperior  Soul  : 
My  Chariot  flies  her  upward  Courfe, 

The  Wheels  divinely  roll. 
Now  let  me  chide  the  mean  Affairs 

And  mighty  Toil  of  Men  : 
How  they  grow  grey  in  triflng  Cares, 
Or  wafte  the  Motions  of  the  Spheres 
Upon  Delights  as  vain  ! 

II. 

A  Puff  of  Honour  fills  the  Mind, 
And  yellow  Dull  is  folid  Good  ; 
Thus  like  the  Afs  of  favage  Kind, 
We  muff  the  Breezes  of  the  Wind,. 
Or  ileal  the  Serpent's  Food. 
Could  all  the  Choirs 
That  charm  the  Poles 
Bat  flrike   one  doleful  Sound, 
ST  would  be  employ 'd  to   mourn  our  Souls, 
Souls  that  were   frarn'd  of  fprightly  Fires 

In  Floods  of  Folly  drcwn'd. 
Souls  made  of  Glory    feek  a  brutal  Joy ; 

How  they  difclaim  their  heavenly  Birth, 
Melt  their  bright  Subltance  down  with  droffy  Earth, 
And  hate  to   be  refin'd  from  that  impure  Alloy. 

G  HI, 


i22  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  II. 

III. 
Oft  has  thy  Genius  rous'd   us  hence 

With  elevated  Song, 
Bid  us  renounce  this  World  of  Senfe, 
Bid  us  divide    th'  immortal  Prize 

With  the  Seraphic  Throng  : 
"  Knowledge  and  Love  makes  Spirits  bleft, 
"  Knowledge  their  Food,  and  Love  their  Reft; 
But  Flelh,  th'  unmanageable  Beaft, 
Refills   the  Pity  of  thine  Eyes, 

And  Mufic  of  thy  Tongue. 
Then  Jet  the  Worms  of  groveling  Mind 
Round  the  fhort  Joys  of  earthy  Kind 

In  reftlefs   Windings    roam ; 
BOJVE  hath   an   ample  Orb  of  Soul, 
Where  Aiming  Worlds  of  Knowledge  .roll, 
Where  Love   the  Centre   and   the  Pole 

Compleats  the  Heaven  at  Home. 

The  Difappointment  and  Relief. 

VE  R  T  U  E,  permit  my  Fancy  to  impofe 
Upon  my   better  Pow'rs  : 
She  calls  fweet  Fallacies   on  half  our  Woes, 

And  gilds  the  gloomy  Hours. 
How  could  we   bear  this    tedious  Round 
Of  waning  Moons,  and  rolling  Years, 
Of  flaming  Hopes,  and   chilling  Fears, 
If  (where  no  fovereign  Cure  appears) 
No  Opiates  could  be  found. 
II. 
Love,  the  moft  cordial  Stream  that  flows, 
Is  a  deceitful  Good  : 
Young  Deris,  who  no  Guilt  nor  Danger  knows, 

On  the   green  Margin  Hood, 
Pieas'd  with  the  golden  Babbles  as  they  rofe, 
And  with  more  golden  Sands  her  Fancy  pav'd  the  Flood  : 
Then  fond  to  be   entirely  bkil, 
And  tempted    by  a  fai  thief:;  Youth, 
As  void  of  Goodr.ds   as  of   Truth, 
She  plunges  in  with  RejsdJefs  Hafle, 
And  rears    the    rather  Mud: 

Darkncfs, 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  123 

Darknefs,  and  naufeous  Dregs  arife 
O'er  thy  fair  Current,  Love,  with  large  Supplies 
Of  Pain  to  teize  the  Heart,  and  Sorrow   for  the  Eyes* 
The  golden  Blefs   that  charm'd  her  Sight 

Is  dafh'd,  and  drown'd,  and  loft  : 
A  Spark,  or  glimmering  Streak  at  moft, 
Shines  here  and  there,   amidft  the  Night, 
Amidft  the  turbid  Waves,  and  gives  a   faint  Delight, 
III. 
Recover'd  from  the  fad  Surprize, 

Doris  awakes  at  Jaft, 
Grown  by   the  Difappointment  wife  : 
And  manages  with  Art   th'  unlucky  Caft  ; 
When  the  lowring  Frown  fhe  fpies 
On  her  haughty  Tyrant's  Brow, 
|  With  humble  Love  fhe  meets  his  wrathful  Eyes, 
And  makes  her  Sovereign  Beauty  bow  ; 
Chearful  me  fmiles  upon  her  grizly  Form  ; 
So  fhines  the  fetting  Sun  on  adverfe  Skies, 

And  paints  a  Rainbow   on    the  Storm. 
Anon  Hie  lets  the  fullen  Humour  fpend, 
And  with  a  vertuous  Book  or  Friend, 

Beguiles  th*  uneafy  Hours : 
Well-colouring  every  Crofs  fee   meets, 
With  Heart  ferene  fhe  fleeps   and   eats, 
She  fpreads  her  Board   with  fancy'd  Sweets, 
And  ftrows  her  Bed  with  Flow'rs. 

The  Hero's  School  of  Morality, 

I. 
fT'HERON,    amongft  his  Travels,  found, 

A  broken  Statue  on  the  Ground ; 
And  fearching  onward  as  he  went 
He  trac'd  a  ruin'd  Monument. 
Mould,  Mofs,  and  Shades  had  overgrown 
The  Sculpture  of  the  crumbling  Stone, 
Yet  e'er  he  paft,  with  much  ado, 
He  guefs'd,  and  fpell'd  out,  Sci-pi-o. 

"  Enough,  he  cry'd  ;  I'll  drudge  no  more 
"  In  tuning  the  dull  Stoles  o'er  y 


3?4  LYRIC    POEM  S9        Book  II. 

"  Let  Pedants  wade  their  Hours  of  Eafe 

"  To  fweat  all  Night  at  Socrates ; 

•'  And  feed  their  Boys  with  Notes  and  Rules, 

"  Thcfe  tedious  Recipe's  of  Schools, 

"  To  cure  Ambition  :  I  can  learn 

"  With  greater  Eafe  the  great  Concern 

*'  Of  Mortals ;  how  we  may  defpife 

"  Al]  jhe  gay  Things  below  the  Skies. 

"  Methinks  a  mouldring  Pyramid 
•"  Says  all  that  the  old  Sages  faid  $ 
"  For  me  thefe  fhatter'd  Tombs  contain 
<{  More  Morals  than  the  Vatican, 
t:  The  Duft  of  .Heroes  call  abroad, 
«'  And  kick'd,  and  trampled  in  the  Road, 
"  The  Relick*  of  a  lofty  Mind, 
".'  That  lately  Wars  and  Crowns  defign'd, 
"  Toil  for  a  jell  from  Wind  to  Wind,. 
*'  Bid  me  be  humble,  and  forbear 
"  Tall  Monuments  of  Fame  to  rear, 
"  They  are  but  Cables  in  the  Air. 
"  The  tow'ring  Heights,  and  frightful  Falls 
*'  The  ruin'd  Heaps,  and  Funerals, 
"  Of  fmoaking  Kingdoms  and  their  Kings, 
f*  Tell  me  a  thcufand  mournful  Things 
"  In  meiancholly  Silence. 


I 


■He 


ii  That  living  could  net  bear  to  fee 

d  Equal,  now  lies  torn  and  dead  ; 
*'  Here  his  pale  Trunk,  and  there  his  Head; 
"  Great  Pcmpey  I  while  I  meditate, 
*'  With  fclemn  Horror,  thy  fad  Fate, 
u  Thy  Cvucafc  fcatter'd  on  the  Shore 
"  Without'  a  Name,  ir.ilrucls  »9  ir,oie 
"  Than  my  whole  Library  before. 

"  LiefiUH,  niy'TIfitar'cb,  then,  and  f. 
"  And  my  good  Seneca  may  i;. 
"  Your  Vblun  top, 

"  I  have  no  fu  .'  r\ou  ; 

3   feci  my  Virtjufc  full, 
H  ,\:  I  .   .  ,  vail* 


«  m 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  125 

'I  I'll  take  a  Turn  among  the  Tombs, 
4  And  fee  whereto  all  Glory  comes  : 
<«  There  the  vile  Foot  of  every  Clown 
"  Tramples  the  Sons  of  Honour  down, 
"  Beggars  with  awful  Allies  fporr, 
"  And  tread  the  G&fars  in  the  Dirt. 

Frecdo?n. 

1697. 
I. 

TEMPT  me  no  more.     My  Soul  can  ne'er  compote 
With  the  gay  Slaveries  of  a  Court  : 

I've  an  Averfion  to  thofe  Charms, 
And  hug  dear  Liberty  in  both  mine  Arms. 

Gov  Vafial-Souls,  go,  cringe  and  wait, 
And  dance  Attendance  at  Heitonfe  Gate, 
Then  run  in  Tioops  before  him  to  compofe  his  State  ? 
Move  as  he  moves ;   and  when  he  loiters,  ftand  ; 

You're  but  the  Shadows  of  a  Man. 

Bend  when  he  {peaks  ;  and  kifs  the  Ground  y 

Go,  catch  thr  Impertinence  of  Sound  : 

Adore  the  Follies  of  the  Great ; 
'Wait  till  he  fmiies :  But  lo,  the  Idol  frown'd 

And  drove'  them  to  their  Fate. 

it 

Thus  bafe-borh  Minds :  but  as  for  Me, 

I  can  and  will  be  free  : 
Like  a  ftrong  Mountain,  or  fome  ftately  Ticc> 

My  Soul  grows  firm  upright, 
And  as  I  Hand,  and  as  I  go, 
It  keeps  my  Body  fo  ; 

No,  I  can  never  part  with  my  Creation-Right. 
Let  Slaves  and  AiTes  itoop  and  bow,  »-;> 

I  cannot  make  this  Iron  Knee 
Bend  to  a  meaner  Power  than  that  which  fornrd  it  free, 
III. 
Thus  my  bold  Harp  profufely  play'd 
Pindarical ;  then  on  a  branchy  Shade 
I  hung  my  Harp  aloft,  my  felf  beneath  it  kid. 

Nature  that  liilen'd  to  my  Strain, 
Refum'd  the  Theme,  and  acted  it  again. 

G  3  Sudden 


126  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book II. 

Sudden  rofe  a  whirling  Wind 

Swelling  like  Honor io  proud, 

Around  the  Straws  and  Feathers  crowd, 
Types  of  a  flavifh  Mind  ; 

Upwards  the  ftormy  Forces  rife, 

The  Duft  flies  up  and  climbs  the  Skies, 
And  as  the  Tempeft  fell  th'  obedient  Vapours  funk  : 
Again  it  roars  with  bellowing. Sound, 

The  meaner  Plants  that  grew  around, 
The  Willow,  and  the  Afp,  trembled  and  kifs'd  the  Ground : 

Hard  by  there  flood  the  Iron  Trunk 
Of  an  old  Oak,  and  all  the  Storm  defy'd  ; 

In  vain  the  Winds  their  Forces  try'd, 

In  vain  they  roar'd ;  the  Iron  Oak 
Bow'd  only  to  the  heavenly  Thunder's  Stroke. 

Un  Mr.  L  O  C  K  E's  Annotations  upon  feveral  Parts 
of  the  Niw  Testament,  left  behind  him  at  his 
Death.  J 

THUS  Reafon  learns  by  flow  Degrees, 
What  Faith  reveals  j  but  ftill  complains 
Of  Intellectual  Pains, 
And  Darknefs  from  the  too  exuberant  Light. 
The  Blaze  of  thofe  bright  Myfteries 
Pour'd  all  at  once  on  Nature's  Eyes 
Offend  and  clcud  her  feeble  Sieht. 
II.   S 
Reafon  could  fcarce  Main  to  fee 
Th'  Almighty  One,  th'  Eternal  Three, 
Or  bear  the  Infant  Deity  ; 
Scarce  could  her  Pride  defcend  to  own 
Her  Maker  Hooping  from  his  Throne, 
And  drefl  in  Glories  fo  unknown. 
A  ranfom'd  World,  a  bleeding  God, 
And  Hcav'n  appeas'd  with  flowing  Blood, 
Were  Themes  too  painful  to  be  underftood. 
III. 
Faith,  thou  bright  Cherub,  fpeak,  and  fay 
Did  ever  Mind  of  mortal  Race 
Coll  thee  more  Toil,  or  larger  Grace, 
To  melt  and  bend  it  to  obey. 

*Twas 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  Uq.  127 

'Twas  hard  to  make  fo  rich  a  Soul  fubmit, 

And  lay  her  fhining  Honours  at  thy  fovereign  Feet, 

Sifter  of  Faith,  fair  Charity, 
Shew  me  the  wondrous  Man  on  high, 
Tell  how  he  fees  the  Godhead  Three  in  One  ; 
The  bright  Conviction  fills  his  Eye, 
His  nobleit  Powers  in  deep  Proftration  lie 

At  the  myfterious  Throne, 
*'  Forgive,  he  cries,  ye  Saints  below, 
«  The  wav'ring  and  the  cold  Aflent 
"  I  gave  to  Themes  divinely  true  ; 
"  Can  you  admit  the  bleffed  to  repent  I 

**  Eternal  Barknefs  vail  the  I/lnes. 

"  Of  that  unhappy  Book, 
.'«  Where  glimmering  Reafon  with  falfe  Luitre  ibises* 

"  Where  the  mere  Mortal  Pen  miilook 
"  What  the  Celeltial  meant ! 

See  Mr,  Locke V  Anmt&ti&ns.  on  Rom.  iii.  25.  and Paraphrafs 
9U  Rom.  ix.  5.  vMcb  has  inclined  fame  Readers  to  doubt  vubether 
be  believed  the  Deity  and  Sat'ufaStion  of  Christ.  Therefore  in 
the  fourth  Stanza  /  invoke  Charity,  that  by  her  Help  I  may  find 
bun  out  in  Heaven,  face  his  Notes  on  2,  Cor.  v.  tilt,  and  form  0- 
lber  Plates,  give  me  reafon  to  believe  be  ivas  no  Socinian,  i.h" 
he  bas  darkened  the  Glory  of  the  Gofpel,  and  dehafed  Lhrif';anityt 
in  the  Booh  nvhich  be  calls  the  Reafonabienefs  cf  it,  and  in  feme 
of  bis  other  Works. 

True  Riches, 

I  AM  not  concerned  to  know 
What  To-morrow  Fate  will  do  : 
'Tis  enough  that  I  can  fay, 
I've  porTeft  myfelf  To-day  : 
Then  if  haply  Midnight-Death 
'Seize  my  Flelh,  and  ft  op  my  Breath, 
Yet  To-morrow  I  mall  be 
Heir  to  the  bell  Part  of  Me, 

Glittering  Stones,  and  Golden  Things, 
Wealth  and  Honours  that  have  Wings, 
Ever  fluttering  to  be  gone 
I  could  never  call  my  own  ; 

Riches 


ia8  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,        Book  II. 

Riches  that  the  World  beftows, 
She  can  take,  and  I  can  lofe  ; 
Bur  the  Tpeaftires  that  are  mine 
Lie  afar  beyond  her  Line. 
"When  I  view  my  fpacious  Soul,. 
And  furvey  my  fclf  awhole,. 
And  enjoy  my  felf  alone, 
I'm  a  Kingdom  of  my  own. 

I've  a  mighty  Fart  within 
That  the  World  hath  never  feen, 
Rich  a.%  Ed£t?%  happy  Ground, 
And  with  choicer  Plenty  crown'd. 
Kere  on  all  the  iliining  Boughs 
Knowledge  fair  and  ufelefs  grows ; 
On  the  lame  young  flow'ry  Tree 
All  the  Seafons  you  may  fee ; 
Notions  in  the  Bloom  of  Light, 
Juft  difclofing  to  the  Sight ; 
Here  are  Thoughts  of  larger  Growth-, 
Rip'ning  into  folid  Truth ; 
Fruits  reiin'd,  of  noble  Tafte  ; 
''Seraphs  feed  on  fuch  R'epaft. 
Here  in  a  green  and  fhady  Grove, 
Streams  of  Pleafure  mix  with  Love  : 
There  beneath  the  fmiling  Skies 
Hills  of  Contemplation  rile  ; 
•Now  upon  fome  mining  Top 
Angels  light,  and  call  me  up  ; 
I  rejoice  to  raife  my  Feet, 
Both  rejoice  when  there  we  meet. 

There  are  endlefs  Beauties  more 
Earth  hath  no  Refemblance  for  ; 
Nothing  like  them  round  the  Pole, 
Nothing  can  defcribe  the  Soul : 
'Tis  a  Region  half  unknown, 
That  has  Treafures  of  its  own, 
More  remote  from  publick  View 
Than  the  Bowels  of  Peru  ; 
Broader  'tis,  and  brighter  far, 
Than  the  Golden  Indies  are; 

Ship* 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c„  129 

Ships  that  trace  the  watry  Stage 
Cannot  coaft  it  in  an  Age  5 
Harts,  or  Horfes,  ftrcmg  and  fleet, 
Had  they  Wings  to  help  their  Feet, 
Could  not  run  it  half  way  o'er 
In  ten  thoufend  Days- and  more. 

Yet  the  filly  wandring  Mind, 
Loth  to  be  too  much  connn'd, 
Roves  and  takes  her  daily  Tours, 
Coafting  round  the  narrow  Shores^ 
Narrow  Shores  of  Flefh  and  Senfc, 
Picking  Shells  and  Pebbles  thenca  i| 
Or  fhe  fits  at  Fancy's  Door, 
Calling  Shapes  and  Shadows  to  her, 
Foreign  Wits  ftili  receiving, 
And  t'  her  feif  a  Stranger  living. 
Never,  never  would  fhe  buy 
Indian  Duft,  or  Syrian  Dye, 
Never  trade  abroad  for  more,. 
It  fne  faw  her  native  Store, 
If  her  inward  Worth  were  known 
She  might  ever  live  alone.  '    „   /   >t  ,,.,,, 

"' The  Adventurous  Miifi. 

I. 
TJR  AN  I A  takes  her  Morning  Flight 
^      With  an  inimitable  Wing  :,  _ 
Thro'  fifing  Deluges  of  dawing  Light 
She  cleaves  her  wondrous  Way,. 
She  tones  immortal  Anthems  to  the- growing  Day  ;    (fing. 
Nor  *  Rabin  gives  her  Rules  to  fly,  nor  f  Purtell  Notes  to 
II. 
She  nor  inquires,  nor  knows,  nor  fears  ..       . 

Where  lie  the  pointed  Rocks,  or  where  th'  ingulpmng  Sand 
Climbing  the  liquid  Mountains  of  the  Skies 
She  meets  defcendfng  Angels  as  fhe  flies, 
Nor  afk  them  where  their  Country  -lies, 

Or  where  the  Sea-marks  Hand. 
TouchM  with  an  Empyreal  Ray 
She  fprings,  unerring,  upward  to  eternal  Day, 

Spreads 

*  A  French  Critid.  t  An  Biglifh  Mtfv  of  Mujic, 


j3o  LT  R  I  C    P  O  E  M  Sy       Book  ti. 

Spreads  her  white  Sails  aloft,  and  fleers. 
With  bold  and  fafe  Attempt,  to  the  Celeftial  Land. 

III. 
While  little  Skiffs  along  the  mortal  Shore* 

With  humble  Toil  in  Order  creep, 
Coafting  in  fight  of  one  another's  Oars, 

Nor  venture'  thro'  the  boundlefs  Deep. 

Such  low  pretending  Souls  are  they 
Who  dwell  inclos'd  in  folid  Orbs  of  Skull ; 

Plodding  along  their  fober  Way, 
The  Snail  o'ertakes  theia  in  their  wildeft  Play, 
While  the  poor  Labourers  fweat  to  be  corre&ly  dull* 

IV. 
Give  me  the  Chariot  whofe  diviner  Wheels 

Mark  their  own  Rout*  and  unconhVd 

Bound  o'er  the  everlafling  Hills, 
And  lofe  the  Clouds  below,  and  leave  the  Stars  behind, 

Give  me  the  Mufe  whofe  generous  Force, 
Impatient  of  the  Reins, 

Purfues  an  unattempted  Gourfe, 
Breaks  all  the  Criticks  Iron  Chains, 
And  bears  to  ParadKe  the  raptur'd  Mind. 
V. 

There  Wlton  dwells  :  The  Mortal  fung 

Themes  not  prefum'd  my  mortal  Tongue ; 

New  Terrors,  or  new  Glories,  mine 
In  every  Page,  and  flying  Scenes  Divine 
Surprize  the  wond'ring  Senfe,  and  draw  our  Souls  along, 

Behold  his  Mufe  fent  out  t'  explore 
The  unapparent  Deep  where  Waves  of  Chaos  xoar, 

And  Realms  of  Night  unknown  before 

She  trae'd  a  glorious  Path  unknown, 
Thro'  Fields  of  heavenly  War,  and  Serephs  overthrown, 

Where  his  advent'rous  Genius  led  : 
Sovereign  Hie  fram'd  a  Model  of  her  own, 

Nor  thank'd  the  living  nor  the  dead 
The  noble  Hater  of  degenerate  Rhime 
Shook  off  the  Chains,  and  built  his  Verfe  fublime, 
A  Monument  to  high  for  coupled  Sounds  to  climb. 

He  xnourn'd  the^Garden  loit  below  ; 

(Earth  is  the  Scene  for  tuneful  Woe} 

Now 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  131 

Now  BJifs  beats  high  in  all  his  Veins, 
Now  the  loft  Eden  he  regains, 
Keeps  his  own  Air,  and  triumphs  in  unrival'd  Strains. 

VI. 
Immortal  Bard  1  Thus  thy  own  Raphael &n%Si 

And  knows  no  Rule  but  native  Fire  : 
All  Heav'n  fits  filent,  while  to  his  fovereign  Strings 

He  talks  unutterable  Things; 
With  Graces  infinite  his  untaught  Fingers  rove 
Acrofs  the  golden  Lyre  : 
From  every  Note  Devotion  fprings. 
Rapture,  and  Harmony,  and  Love> 
O'erfpread  the  lift'ning  Choir. 

T    O 

Mr.  N  I  C  H  O  L  A  S    C  L  A  R  K. 

The  Complaint, 
I. 
^^TH^  WAS  in  a  Vale  where  Ofiers  grow 
X     By  murm'ring  Streams  we  told  our  Woe, 
And  mingled  all  our  Cares : 
Friendship  fat  pleas'd  in  both  our  Eyes* 
In  both  the  weeping  Dews  arife, 
And  drop  alternate  Tears. 
IX. 
The  vigorous  Monarch  of  the  Day 
Now  mounting  half  his  Morning  Way 

Shone  with  a  fainter  Bright ; 
Still  fickning,  and  decaying  ftill, 
Dimly  he  wander'd  up  the  Hill, 
With  his  expiring  Light. 
III. 
In  dark  Eclipfe  his  Chariot  rolled, 

The  Queen  of  Night  obfeur'd  his  Gold 
Behind  her  fable  Wheels; 
Nature  grew  fad  to  lofe  the  Day, 
The  flow'ry  Vales  in  Mourning  lay, 
In  Mourning  flood  the  Hills. 
IV. 
Such  are  cur  Sorrows,  CLARK,  I  cry'd,  * 

Clouds  of  the  Brain  grow  black,  and  hid? 


, 


132  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,       Book  II. 

Our  dark'ned  Souls  behind  ; 
In  the  young  Morning  of  our  Years 
Diitempering  Fogs  have  climb'd  the  Spheres, 

And  choke  the  lab'ring  Mind. 
V. 
Lo,  the  gay  Planet  rears  his  Head, 
And  overlooks  the  lofty  Shade, 

New-bright'ning  all  the  Skies  : 
But  fay,  dear  Partner  of  my  Moan, 
When  will  our  long  Eclipfe  be  gone,. 

Or  when  our  Suns  arife  ? 
VI. 
In  vain  are  potent  Herbs  apply'd, 
Ilarmonius  Sounds  in  vain  have  try'd 

To  make  the  Darknefs  fly  : 
But  Drugs  would  raife  the  Dead  as  foon} 
Or  clatr/ring  Brafs  relieve  the  Moon,.     - 

When  fainting  in  the  Sky. 
VII. 
Some  friendly  Spirit  from  above, 
Born  of  the  Light,  and  hurft  with  Love. 

Aflift  our  feebler  Fires  : 
Force  thefe  invading  Glooms  away  ; 
'jSouls  fhould  be  feen  quite  thro'  their  Clay5. 

Bright  as  your  heav'nly  Choirs. 
VIII. 
But  if  the  Fogs  muft  damp  the  Flame, 
Gently,  kind  Death,  diiTolve  our  Frame, 

Rekafe  the  Prifoner-Mind  : 
Our  Souls  mall  moant,  at  thy  Difcharge, 
To  their  bright  Source,  and  mine  at  large 

Nor  clouded,  nor  confin'd. 

The  Jfflitlicm  of  a  Friend. 

3702.. 

NO  W   let  my  Cares  all  bury'd  lie, 
My  Griefs  for  ever  dumb  : 
your  Sorrows  fwell  my  Heart  fo  high, 
They  leave  my  cwn  no  room. 

*  II. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c,  J  33 

II. 
Sicfcnefs  and  Pains  are  quite  forgot, 

The  Spleen  it  felf  is  gone  ; 
piURg'd  in  your  Woes  I  feel  them  not,. 

Or  feel  them  all  in  one.  ,- 

Infinite  Grief  puts  Senfc  to  Flight,. 

And  all  the  Soul  invades  : 
So  the  broad  Gloom  of  fpreadmg  Nigiu 

Devours  the  Evening  Shades. 

Thus  am   I  born  to  be  unbleft ! 

This  Sympathy  of  Woe 
Drives  my  own  Tyrants  from  my  Brea& 

T'  admit  a  foreign  Foe. 

Sorrows  in  long  Succeffion  reign  * 

Their  Iron  Rod   I  feel  : 
Friendfhip  has  only  chang'd  the  Cham, 

Bat  I'm  the  Prisoner  ilill.  .' 
V  I. 
Why  was  this  Life  for  Mifery  made  ? 

Or  why  drawn  out  i'o  long  ?■  " 
Is  there  no  room  amongft  the  dead? 

Or  is  a  Wretch  too  young  ? 

VII. 

Move  fafter  on  great  Nature's  Whee!s_  $ 

Be  kind,  ye  roiling  Powers, 
Hurl  my  Days  headlong  down  the  Hill. 

With  undoing  uim'd  Hours. 
VIII.. 
Be  dufky,  all  my  rifing  Suns, 

Nor  fmile  upon  a  Slave  : 
Darknefs,  and  Death,  make  halte  at  once 

To  hide  me  in  the  Grave. 

The  Reverfe  :  Or,  The  Comforts  of  a  Friend. 
I. 

TH  U  S  Nature  tun'd  her  mournful  Tongue, 
Till  Grace  U\  up  he,r  Head, 


i34  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  Il( 

Revers'd  the  Sorrow  and  the  Song, 

And  fmiling,   thus  ihe  faid  : 
II. 
Were  Kindred  Spirits  born  for  Cares  ? 

Mull  every  Grief  be  mine  I 
Is  there  a  Sympathy  in  Tears, 

Yet  Joys  refufe  to  join  r 

HE. 
Forbid  it,    Heav'n,  and  raife  my  Lovef 

And  make  our  Joys  the  fame  : 
So  Blifs  and  Friendfhip  join'd  above 

Mix  an  Immortal  Flame. 
IT. 
Sorrows  are  loft  in  vaft  Delight 

That  brightens  all  the  Soul, 
As  Deluges  of  dawning  Light 

O'er  whelm  the  duiky  Pole. 
V. 
Pleafures  in  long  SucceflTon  reign, 

And  all  my  Powers  employ  : 
Friendship  but  fhifts  the  pleafing  Scene*. 

And  frefh  repeats  the  Joy. 
VL 
Life  has  a  foft  and  filver  Thread, 

Nor  is  it  drawn  too  long ; 
Yet  when  my  vafter  Hopes  perfuade* 

I'm  willing  to  be  gone. 

VII. 
Faft  as  ye  pleafe  roll  down  the  Hill,, 

And  hafte  away,  my  Years  ; 
Or  I  can  wait  my  Father's  Will, 

And  dwell  beneath  the  Spheres.. 

vii  r. 

Rife,  glorious,  every  future  Sun,. 

Gild  all  my  following  Days, 
But  make  the  laft  dear  Moment  known: 

By  weU-diflinguinYd  Rays. 


TO 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  135 

To  the   Right  Honourable 
JOHN     Lord     CUTS. 

At  the  Siege, 
of  Namur* 
The  Hardy  Soldier. 
I. 

OWHY  is  Man  fo  though tlefs  grow  a  ? 
"  Why  guilty  So«ls  in  haile  to  die  I 
Vent'ring  the  leap  to  the  Worlds  unknown;,. 
Heedlefs  to  Arms  and  Blood  they  fly. 

II. 
Are  Lives  but  worth  a  Soldier's  Pay  > 
Why  will  ye  join  fuch  wi^e  Extremes, 
And  ftake  Immortal  Souls,  in  play 
At  defperate  Chance,  and  bloody  Games  I 

III. 
Valour's  a  noble  Turn  of  Thought, 
Whofe  pardon'd  Guilt  forbids  her  Fears : 
Calmly  me  meets  the  deadly  Shot 
Secure  of  Life  above  the  Stars..  / 
IV.       K 
But  Frenzy  dares  eternal  Fate, 
"  And  fpurr'd  with  Honour's  airy  Dreams? 
$  Flies  to  attack  th'  infernal  Gate, 
&  And  force  a  Pailage  to  the  Flames." 

V. 
Thus  hov'ring  o'er  NJMURIJ's  Plains,. 
Sung  heav'nly  Lave  in  Gabriel's  Form  : 
Young   THRASO:  left  the  moving  Strains,. 
And  vow'd  to  pray  before  the  Storm. 

VI. 
Anon  the  thundering  Trumpet  calls  t 
Vows  are  but  Wind,  the  Hero  cries  ; 
Then  fwears  by  Heav'n,  and  fcales  the  Walls, 
Drops  in  the  Ditch,  defpairs  and  dies. 
##.###■#***  #■###■  #**##*#*• 
Burning  feviral  Poems  of  Ovid,  Martial,  Oldham, 
Dryden,  &c. 

I.  1708. 

I  J  U  D  G  E  the  Mufe  of  lewd  Defire  ; 
Her  Sow  &  DarknefsP  and  fcer  Works  to  Fire, 

In 


i36  LYRIC   POEMS,        Book  II, 

In  vain  the  Flatteries  of  their  Wit 
Now  with  a  melting  Strain,  now  with  an  heavenly  Flight, 

Would  tempt  my  Virtue  to  approve 
Thofe  gaudy  Tinders  of  a  lawlefs  Love. 

So  Harlots  drefs :  They  can  appear 
Sweet,  modeft,  cocl,  divineiy  Fair, 
To  charm  a  Cato\  Eye  ;   but  all  within, 
Stench,  Impudence  and  Fire,  and  ugly  raging  Siiu 

Die,  Flora,  die  in  endlefs  Shame, 

Thou  Profiitute  of  blacked  Fame, 
Stript  of  thy  falfe  Array. 

Ovid,  and  all  ye  wilder  Pens 

Of  modern  Luft,  who  gild  our  Scenes*, 
Poifon  the  Britifr  Stage,  and  paint  Damnation  gayr 

Attend  your  Miftrefs  to  the  Dead  ; 
When  Flora  dies,  her  Imps  mould  wait  upon  her  Shade* 
III. 

*  Strephon,  of  noble  Blood  and  Mind* 
(For  ever  ihine  his  Name  !) 

As  Death  approach'd,  his  Soul  renn'dr 
And  gave  his  loofer  Sennets  to  the  Flame. 

"  Burn,  burn,  he  cry'd  with  facred  Rage, 

"  Hell  is  the  Due  of  every  Page, 
"  Hell  be  the  Fate.     (But  O  indulgent  Heaven  ! 
"  So  vile  the  Mule,  and  yet  the  Man  forglv'n  !) 
"  Burn  en  my  Songs  :  For  not  the  Silver  Thames 

'*  Nor  Tyler  with  his  yellow  Streams 
*'  In  endlefs  Currents  rolling  to  the  Main, 
"  Can  e'er  dilute  the  Poifon,  or  wain  out  the  Stain,. 

So  Mcfes  by  Divine  Command 

Forbid  the  leprous  Hcufe  to  Hand 
When  deep  the  fatal  Spot  was  grown. 
Break  do-uon  the  Timber,  and  dig  up  the  Stone. 
*  Earl  of  Rocheft.-r. 

Mis.    B.    B  E  N  D  I  S  H. 
Againji  Tears. 

I.  1699. 

MADAM,  perfur.de  me  Tears  are  good 
To  vvalli  cur  Mortal  Carea  away  ; 

Thefe 


.  Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  i'Z7 

Thefe  Eyes  fhall  weep  a  fudden  Flood, 
And  ftream  into  a  briny  Sea-. 

II. 
Or  if  thefe  Orbs  are  hard  and  dry, 
(Thefe  Orbs  that  never  ufe  to  rain) 
Some  Star  direct  roe  where  to  buy 
One  fovereign  Drop  for  all  my  Pain, 

III. 
Were  both  the  golden  Indies  mine,, 
I'd  give  both  Indies  for  a  Tear  : 
I'd  barter  all  but  what's  divine : 
Nor  fhall  I  think  the  Bargain  dear, 

"  IV. 
But  Tears,  alas !  are  trifling  Things, 
They  rather  feed  than  heal  cur  Woe  ; 
From  trickling  Eyes  new  Sorrow  fpring$5 
As  Weeds  in  rainy  Seafons  grow. 

V. 
Thus  Weeping  urges  Weeping  on  y 
In  vain  our  Miferies  hope  relief, 
For  one  Drop  calls  another  down, 
Till  we  are  drown'd  in  Seas  of  Grief, 

VI. 
Then  let  thefe  ufeful  Streams  be  ftaid, 
Wear  native  Courage  on  your  Face  : 
Thefe  vulgar  Things  were  never  made' 
For  Souls  of  a  fuDerior  Raee. 

VII. 
If  'tis  a  rugged  Path  you  go, 
And  thoufand  Foes  your  Steps  furround, 
Tread  the  Thorns  down,  charge  thro'  the  Foe  :' 
The  harder!  Fight  is  higheft  crown'd. 

Few  Happy  Matches* 


I. 


Aug.       IJQI: 


4  v 


mighty  Love,  and  teach  my  Sovng, 
}  To  whom  my  fweeteft  Joys  bekng, 
And  who  the  happy  Pairs- 

•  ■  Whofe 


138  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  II. 

Whofe  yielding  Hearts,  and  joining  Hands, 
Find  Bleflings  twilled  with  their  Bands, 

To  foften  all  their  Cares. 
JL 

Not  the  wild  Herd  of  Nymphs  and  Swains 
That  thoughtlefs  fly  into  the  Chains, 

As  Cuftom  leads  the  Way  j 
If  there  be  Blifs  without  Defign, 
Ivies  and  Oaks  may  grow  and  twine, 
And  be  as  bleil  as  they. 

III. 
Not  fordid  Souls  of  earthly  Mould 
Who  drawn  by  Kindred  Charms  of  Gold 

To  dull  Embraces  move  : 
So  two  rich  Mountains  of  Peru 
May  rum  to  wealthy  Marriage  too, 

And  make  a  World  of  Love. 
IV. 
Not  the  mad  Tribe  that  Hell  infpires 
With  wanton  Flames ;  thofe  raging  Fires 

The  purer  Blifs  deftroy  : 
On  JEtnah  Top  let  Furies  wed, 
And  Sheets  of  Lightning  drefs  the  Bed 

T*  improve  the  burning  Joy. 

Nor  the  dull  Pairs  whofe  marble  Forms 
None  of  the  melting  PafTions  warms, 

Can  mingle  Hearts  and  Hands  r 
Logs  of  green  Wood  that  quench  the  Coals 
Are  marry'd  juft  like  Stoic  Souls, 

With  Ofiers  for  their  Bands. 
VI. 
Not  Minds  of  melancholy  Strain, 
Still  filent,  or  that  ftill  complain, 

Can  the  dear  Bondage  blefs  : 
As  well  may  heavenly  Contorts  Spring 
From  two  old  Lutes  with  ne'er  a  String, 

Or  none  befides  the  Bafs. 

VII. 
Nor  can  the  foft  Enchantments  hold 
Two  jarring  Souls  of  angry  Mould, 

The  Rugged  and  the  Keen : 

Santpfon's 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  139 

S  lamp/on  s  young  Foxes  might  as  well 
in  Bonds  of  chearful  Wedlock  dwell, 
With  Firebrands  ty'd  between. 
VIII. 

Nor  let  the  cruel  Fetters  bind 
A  gentle  to  a  favage  Mind ; 

For  Love  abhors  the  Sight : 
Loofe  the  fierce  Tyger  from  the  Deer, 
For  native  Rage  and  native  Fear 
Rife  and  forbid  Delight. 

8    IX. 

Two  kinder  Souls  alone  mult  meet, 

'Tis  Friend fhip  makes  the  Bondage  fweet, 

And  feeds  their  mutual  Loves  : 
Bright  Venus  on  her  rolling  Throne 
Is  drawn  by  gentlelt  Birds  alone, 

And  Cupids  yoke  the  Doves. 

T    O 

DAVID    P  O  L  H  I  L  L,    Efq; 

An  EPISTLE. 

December  1702* 
I. 

LE  T  ufelefs  Souls  to  Woods  retreat  ,* 
POL  HILL  fnould  leave  a  Country  Seal 
When  Virtue  bids  him  dare  be  Great. 

II. 
Nor  Kent*,  nor  Suffix*,  mould  feave  Charms 
While  Liberty  with  loud  Alarms, 
Calls  vou  to  Counfela  and  to  Arms. 

III. 
Lewis,  by  fawning  Slaves  ador'd, 
Bids  you  receive  a  f  bafe-bom  Lord  1 
Awake  your  Cares  !  awake  your  Sword  ! 

IV. 
Factions  amongft  the  $  Britons  rife, 
And  warring  Tongues,  and  wild  Surmife, 
And  burning  Zeal  without  her  Eyes. 

?. 

*  His  Country-Scat  and  Dwelling. 

f  The  Pretender,  proclaimed  King  in  France, 

X  The  Parliament* 


34o  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  II 1 

V. 

A  Vote  decides  the  blind  Debate, 
RefolvM,   'Tis  of  diviner  Weight, 
To  fa=ve  the  Steeple,  than  the  State. 

VI. 
The  *  bold  Machine  is  form'd  and  join'd 
To  flretch  the  Confcience,   and  to  bind 
The  native  Freedom  of  rhe  Mind. 

VII. 
Your  Grandfire  Shades  with  jealous  Eye* 
Frcwn  down  to  fee  their  Offspring  lie 
Carelefs,  and  let  their  County  die. 

VIII. 
If  f  Trevia  fear  to  let  you  Hand 
Againft  the  Gaul  with  Spear  in  Hand, 
At  leaft  \  Petition  for  the  Land. 

*  The  Bill  again]}  Occafional  Conformity,  1702. 

f  Mrs.  Pefhill  of  the  Family  of  the  Lord  Trevor. 

X  Mr.  Polhill  was  one  of  tboff  five  zealous  Gentlemen  tvh) 

prefented  the  famous  KentHh  Petition  to  the  Parliament,  in  the 

Reign  of  King  William,  to  haften  their  Supplies  in  Order  to  fup< 

pdrt  the  King  in  his  War  with  France. 

*  ;*   *  *;  4T*'  *   *   I*  #  4T$  *  #  ' *   #  *   *  '* '  #   # 

The  celebrated  Vittory  cf  the  Poles  ruer  Ofman  the  Tur- 

kifri  Emperor  in  the  Dacian  Battle. 
Trav.Jlated  frcm  Calimire,  B.  IV.   Od.  4.  with  large 

Additions. 
r<  ADOR  the  Old,  the  Wealthy  and   the  Strong, 

Cheerful  in   Years  (nor  of  the  Heroic  Mufe 
Unknowing,  nor  unknown)  held  fair  PoflefiiQfls 
Where  flows  the  fruitful  Danube  :  Seyentj   Springs 
Smil'd  on  his  Seed,  and  feventy  Harveft  Moons 
Fiii'd  his  wide  Graneries  with  Autumnal  joy  : 
Still  he  refum'd  the  Toil  :  ana  Fame  reports, 
"While  he  broke  up  new  Ground,  ana  tir'd  his  Plough 
In  grally  Furrows,  the  torn  Earth  dikljs'd 
Helmets,  and  Swords  (bright  Furniture  cf  W  ir 
Sleeping  in  Rult)  and  Heaps  of  might 
The  Sun  defcending  to  the  ftfeftcrn  Deep 
Bid  him  lie  down  and  reft  ;  he  loos'd  the  Yoke, 
Yet  held  his  wearied  Oxen  from  their  Food 
With  charming  Numbers,  and  uncommon  Song. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  See.  141 

Go,  Fellow-Labourers,  you  may  rove  fecure, 

)r  feed  befide  me  ;  tafte  the  Greens  and  Boughs 
That  you  have  long  forgot ;  crop  the  fweet  Herb, 
And  graze  in  Safety,  while  the  Victor-Pa/* 
•  .eans  on  his  Spear,  and  breathes  ;  yet  ftill  his  Eye 
ealous  and  fierce.     How  large,  old  Soldier,  fay, 
-low  fair  a  Karveil  of  the  flaughter'd  Turks 
Itrew'd  the  Moldavian  Fields  ?  What  mighty  Piles 
Of  vaft  Deftrudlion,  and  of  Thracian  Dead 
nil  and  amaze  my  Eyes?  Broad  Bucklers  lie 
A  vain  Defence)   fpread  o'er  the  pathlefs  Hills, 
And  Coats  of  fcaly  Steel,  and  hard  Habergeon, 
Deep-bruis'd  and  empty  of  Mahometan  Limbs, 
rhis  the  fierce  Saracen  wore,   (for  when  a  Boy, 
I  was  a   Captive,  and  remind  their  Drefs  :) 
Here  the  Poionians  dreadful  march'd  along 
In  auguit  Pore,  and  regular  Array, 
Led  on  to  Conqueit :  Here  the  Turkijb  Chief 
Bjefumptuous  trod,  and  in  rude  Order  rang'd 
His  long  Battalions,  while  his  populous  Towns 
Pour'd  out  frefh  Troops  perpetual,  dreft  in  Arms.. 
Horrent  in  Mail,  and  gay  in  fpangled  Pride. 

O  ike  dire  Image  of  the   bloody  Fight 
Thefe  Eyes  have  feen,  when  the  capacious  Plain 
Was  throng'd  with  Dacian  Spears ;  when  polifh'd  Helms 
And  Convex  Gold  blaz'd  thick  againil  the  Sun 
Reiioring  all  his  Beams  1  but  frowning  War 
All  gloomy,  like  a  gather'd  Tempefl,  flood 
Wavering,  and  doubtful  where  to  bend  its  Fall. 

The  Storm  of  miflive  Steel  delay'd  a  while 
By  wife  Command  ;  fledg'd  Arrows  on  the  Nerve.; 
And  Scymiter  and  Sabre  bore  the  Sheath 
Reluctant ;   till  the  hollow  brazen  Clouds 
Had  bcfiowM  from  each  Quarter  of  the  Field 
Loud  Thunder,   and  difgorg'd  their  fulph'rous  Fire. 
Then  Banners  wav'd,  and  Arms  were  mix'd  with  i\rms  j 
Then  Javelins -anfwer'd  Javelins  as  they  fled. 
For  both  fled  hilling  Death  :.  With  adverfe  Edge 
The  crooked  Fauchions  met ;  and  hideous  Noife 
From  ciamihg  Shields,  thro'  the  long  Pvanks  of  War, 

Clang'd 


i42  L  r  R  I  C    P 0  E  M  S,       Book  II. 

Clang'd  horrible.     A  thoufand  Iron  Storms 
Roar  divcrfe  :  and  in  harm  Confuffion  drown 
The  Trumpet's  Silver  Sound.     O  rude  Effort 
Of  Harmony  !  not  all  the  frozen  Store 
Of  the  cold  North  when  pour'd  in  rattling  Hail 
Lam  with  fuch  Madnefs  the  Norwegian  Plains, 
Or  fo  torment  the  Ear.     Scarce  founds  fo  far 
The  direful  Fragor,  when  fome  Southern  Blaft 
Tears  from  the  Alps  a  Ridge  of  knotty  Oaks 
Deep  fang'd,  and  antient  Tenants  of  the  Rock : 
-The  rnafly  Fragment,  many  a  Rood  in  Length, 
With  hideous  Cram,  rolls  down  the  rugged  Cliff 
RefilHefs,  plunging  in  the  fubjecl  Lake 
Ccmo,  or  Lugaine  ;  th*  affii&ed  Waters  roar, 
And  various  Thunder  all  the  Valley  fills, 
Such  was  the  Noife  of  War  :  the  troubled  Air 
Complains  aloud,  and  propagates  the  Din 
.To  neighbouring  Regions ;  Rocks  and  lofty  Hills 
Beat  the  impetuous  Echoes  round  the  Sky. 

Uproar,  Revenge,  and  Rage,  and  Hate  appear 
In  all  their  murderous  Forms  ;  and  Flame  and  Blood 
And  Sweat  and  Dull  array  the  broad  Campaign 
In  Horror  :   haity  Feet,  and  fparkling  Eyes, 
And  all  the  favage  Paffions  of  the  Soul 
Engage  in  the  warm  Bufinefs  of  the  Day. 
Here  mingling  Hands,  but  with  no  friendly  Gripe, 
Join  in  the  Fight ;  and  Breafts  in  clofe  Embrace, 
But  mortal,  as  the  Iron  Arms  of  Death. 
Here  Words  auftere,  of  perilous  Command, 
And  Valour  fwift  t'  obey  ;  bold  Feats  of  Arms 
Dreadful  to  fee,  and  glorious  to  relate, 
Shine  thro*  the  Field  with  more  furprifing  Brightnefs 
Than  glittering  Helms  or  Spears.    What  loud  Applaufe 
(Beft  Meed  of  Warlike  Toil)  what  manly  Shouts, 
And  Yells  unmanly  thro*  the  Battle  ring ! 
And  fudden  Wrath  dies  into  endlefs  Fame. 

Long  did  the  Fate  of  War  hang  dubious.     Here 
Stood  the  more  num'rous  Turk,  the  valiant  Pole 
Fought  here ;  more  dreadful,  tho*  with  leffer  Wings. 

But 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  143 

Bat  what  the  Dahees  or  the  Coward  Soul 
J3f  a  CyJonian,  what  the  fearful  Crouds 
Of  bafe  Ciliaans  fcaping  from  the  Slaughter, 
|3r  Parthian  Beafts,  with  all  their  racing  Riders, 
/Vhat  could  they  mean  againft  th'  intrepid  Breaft 
3f  the  purfuing  Foe  ?  Th'  impetuous  Poles 
llufh  here,  and  here  the  Lithuanian  Horfe 
Drive  down  upon  them  like  a  double  Bolt 
Df  kindled  Thunder  raging  thro*  the  Sky 
Dn  founding  Wheels ;  or  as  fome  mighty  Flood 
lolls  his  two  Torrents  down  a  dreadful  Steep 
Precipitant  and  bears  along  the  Stream 
locks,  Woods  and  Trees,  with  all  the  grazing  Heri, 
\?A  tumbles  lofty  Forefts  headlong  to  the  Plain. 

The  bold  Boruffian  fmoaking  from  afar 

>  Moves  like  a  Temped  in  a  dufky  Cloud, 
\nd  imitates  th'  Artillery  of  Heaven, 
The  Lightning  and  the  Roar.     Amazing  Scene  ! 

I  #hat  Showers  of  mortal  Hail,  what  flaky  Fires 
Jurfl:  from  the  Darknefs  !  while  their  Cohorts  firm 
Viet  the  like  Thunder,  and  an  equal  Storm, 
7rom  hoftile  Troops,  but  with  a  braver  Mind. 
Jndaunted  Bofoms  tempt  the  Edge  of  War, 
\nd  rufh  on  the  Iharp  Point ;  while  baleful  Mifchiefs, 
Deaths,  and  bright  Dangers  itew  acrofs  the  Field 
Thick  and  continual,  and  a  thoufand  Souls 
?led  murmuring  thro'  their  Wounds.     I  flood  aloof, 
?or  'twas  unfafe  to  come  within  the  Wind 
}f  Ruffian  Banners,  when  with  whizzing  Sound, 
Lager  of  Glory,  and  profufe  of  Life, 
They  born  down  fearlefs  on  the  charging  Foes, 
\nd  drove  them  backward.     Then  the  furkijb  Moons 
'Vander'd  in  difarray.     A  dark  Eclipie 
iung  on  the  Silver  Crefcent,  boding  Night, 
jOng  Night,  to  all  her  Sons  :  at  length  difrobM 
The  Standards  fell ;  the  barbarous  Enfigns  torn 
rled  with  the  Wind,  the  Sport  of  angry  Heav'n  : 
^nd  a  large  Cloud  of  Infantry  and  Horie 
Mattering  in  wild  Diforder*  ijwead  the  Plain. 


144  LYRIC    POM  M  S,  Book  I 

Not  Noife,  nor  Number,  nor  the  brawny  Limb, 
Nor  high  built  Size  prevails  :  'Tis  Courage  fights, 
'Tis  Courage  conquers.    So  whole  Forreits  fall 
(A  fpacious  Ruin)   by  one  fmgle  Ax. 
And  Steel  well-iharpned  :  To  a  generous  Pair 
Of  Young-wing'd  Eaglets  fright  a  thoufand  Doves. 

Vaft  was  the  Slaughter,  and  tse  flow'ry  Green 
Drank  deep  of  flowing  Crimfon.     Veteran  Bands 
Here  made  their  laft  Campaign.     Here  haughty  Chiefs 
Stretch'd  on  the  Bed  of  purple  Honour  lie 
Supine,  nor  dream  of  Battle's  hard  Event, 
Opprefs'd  with  Iron  Slumbers,  and  long  Night. 
Their  Ghofts  indignant  to  the  nether  World. 
Fled,  but  -attended  well  :  for  at  their  Side 
Some  faithful  Ja?uzaries  ftvtxs'd   the  Field, 
Fall'n  in  juir.  Ranks  or  Wedges,  Lanes  or  Squares, 
Firm  as  they  flood  :  to  the  Warfo<oian  Troops, 
A  nobler  Toil,  and  Triumph  worth  their  Fight. 
But  the  broad  Sabre  and  keen  Poll  Ax  flew 
With  fpeedy  Terror  thro'  the  feebler  Herd, 
And  made  rude  Havock  and  irregular  Spoil 
Amongft  the  vulgar  Bands  that  own'd  the  Name 
Of  Makcmei,     The  wild  Arabians  fled 
In  fwift  Affright  a  thoufand  different  Ways  (tain:! 

Thro'  Brakes  and  Thorns,  and  climb'd  the  craggy  Moun- 
Bellowing  ;  yet  hafty  Fate  o'ertook  the  Cry, 
And  Poltjb  Hunters  clave  the  timorous  Deer. 

Thus  the  dire  Profpecl  diftant  fill'd  my  Soul 
With  Awe  ;  till  the  lali  Relicks  of  the  War 
The  thin  Edonians  flying  had  difclos'd 
The  ghaftly  Plain  :  I  took  a  nearer  View, 
Unfeemly  to  the  Sight,  nor  to  the  Smell 
Grateful.     What  Loads  of  mangled  Flefh  and  Limbs 
(A  difmal  Carnage  !)  bath'd  in  reeking  Gore 
Lay  weirring  on  the  Ground  ;  while  flitting  Life 
Convuls'd  the  Nerves  ftiil  fhivering,  nor  had  loft 
All   Tafte  of  Pain  !  Here  an  OM  Thracian  lies 
Defoim'd  with  Years,  and  Scars,  and  groans  aloud 
Torn  with  frefh  Wounds  ;  but  inward  Vitals  firm 
Forbid  the  Soul's  Remove,  and  chain  it  down 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &e\  145 

1  By  tire  hard  Laws  of  Nature,  to  fuftain 
J  Long  Torment :  his  wild  Eye-balk-roll :  his  Teeth 
1  Gnafhing  with  Anguiih,  chide  his  lingring  Fate. 
j  Emblazon'd  Armour  fpoke  his  high  Command 
Amongft  the  neighbouring  Dead  ;  they  round  their  Lord 
j  Lay  proftrate  ;  fome  in  Flight  ignobly  flain, 
I  Some  to  the  Skies  their  Faces  upwards  turn'd 
!  Still  brave,  and  proud  to  die  £0  near  their  Prince. 

I  mov'd  not  far,  and  lo,  at  manly  Length 
Two  beauteous  Youths  of  richer!  Ottoman  Blood 
Extended  on  the  Field  :  in  Friendihip  join'd, 
Nor  Fate  divides  them  :  hardy  Warriors  both  ; 
Both  faithful ;  drown'd  in  ShowYs  of  Darts  they  fell, 
Each  with  his  Shield  fpread  o'er  his  Lover's  Heart, 
Jn  yain  :  for  on  thofe  Orbs  of  friendly  Brafs 
-Stood  Groves  of  Javelins  ;  fome,    alas,  too  deep 
Were  planted  there,  and  thro'  their  lovely  Bofoms 
Made  painful  A  venues  for  cruel  Death. 

0  my  dear  native  Land,  forgive  the  Tear 

1  dropt  on  their  wan  Cheeks,  when  itrong  Companion 
Forc'd  from  my  melting  Eyes  the  briny  Dew, 

And  paid  a  Sacrifice  to  hoitile  Virtue. 

Daciat  forgive  the  Sight  that  wifh'd  the  Souls 

Of  thofe  fair  Infidels  fome  awful  Place 

Among  the  bleft.     "  Sleep,  fleep,  ye  haplefs  Pair, 

*'  Gently,  I  cry'd,  worthy  of  better  Fate, 

"  And  better  Faith."     Hard  by  the  General  lay 

Of  Saracen  Defcent,  a  grizly  Form 

Breathlefs,  yet  Pride  fat  pale  upon  his  Front 

Jn  Difappointment,  with  a  furly  Brow 

Louring  in  Death,  and  vext ;  his  rigid  Jaws 

Foaming  with  Blood  bite  hard  the  Polijh  Spear, 

In  that  dead  Vifage  my  Remembrance  reads 

Raih  Caraccas  :  In  vain  the  boafling  Slave 

Prcmis'd  and  footh'd  the  Sultan  threatning  fierce 

With  Royal  Suppers  and  triumphant  Fare 

Spread  wide  beneath  Warfcvian  Silk  arid  Geld  ; 

See  on  the  naked  Ground  all  cold  he  lies 

Beneath  the  damp  wide  Cov'ring  of  the  Air 

Forgetful  of  his  Word.    How  Heaven  confounds 

H  Iniolting- 


146  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  II 

Infulting- Hopes !  with  what  an  awful  Smile 
Laughs  at  the  Proud,  that  loofen  all  the  Reins 
To  their  unbounded  Willies,  and  leads  on 
Their  blind  Ambition  to  a  fhameful  End  ! 

But  whirher  am  I  borne  ?  This  Thought  of  Arms 
Jires  me   in  vain  to  fing  to  fenfclefs  Bulls 
What  generous  Horie  fhould  hear.    Break  off,  my  Song 
My  barbaroas  Mme  be  itill :  Immortal  Deeds   - 
JViuit  not  be  thus  profand  in   ruftic  Verfe  : 
The  Martial  Trumpet,  and  the  following  Age, 
And  growing  Fame,  mall  loud  rehearfe  the  Fight 
In  Sounds  of  Giory.     Lo,  the  Evening-Star 
Shines  o'er  the  Weftem  Hill ;  my  Oxen,  come, 
The  well-known  Srar  invites  the  Labourer  home. 

T     O 

Mr.    H  E  N  RY    B  E  JV  D  Y  S  H. 

Ddar  Sir,  Aug.  24,   170$. 

CT'HE  following  Seng  was  yours  when  jirjt  composed  : 
The  Muje  then  defcribd  the  general  fate  of  Mankind* 
that  is,  to  be  ill  match' d ;  end  now  Jhe  rejoices  that  you 
have  efcated  the  common  Mi /'chief y  and  that  your  Soul  has 
found  its  own  Mate.  Let  this  Ode  then  congratulate  you  Both, 
Grow  mutually  in  more  compleat  Likenejs  and  Love  :  Ferfe- 
vere  and  be  Happy. 

I  perfuade  my  felf  you  will  accept  from  the  Prefs  what 
the  Pen  metre  privately  inferib'd  to  you  long  ago  ;  and  lym 
in  no  Pain  left  you  fhould  take  Offence  at  the  fabulous  Drefs 
cf  this  Poem  :  Nor  would  weaker  Minds  be  JcandalinCd  at 
it,  if  they  would  give  themf elves  leave  to  refieB  bow  many 
divine  Truths  are  fpeken  by  the  Holy  Writers  in  Vifion  and 
Images ',  Parables  and  Dreams:  Nor  are  my  wifcr  Friends 
*jba;;id  to  defend  it,  ftnee  the  Narrative  is  grave  and  the 
Moral  /»  juf  and  envious. 

The  Indian  Philojofber. 

Sept.  3,  170X. 

r. 

WHY  fnoukl  our  Joys  transfttnj  to  Pain  ? 
Why  gentle  Hymen*?  filken  Chain 
A  Plague  of  Fron  prove  ? 

BENDYSH, 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  147 

MENDYSH,  'tis  Grange  the  Charm  that  binds 
Millions  of  Hands,  mould  leave  their  Minds 

At  iuch  3  Loofe  from  Love. 
II. 
In  vain  I  fought  the  wondrous  Caule, 
Rang'd  the  wide  Fields  of  Nature's  Laws, 

And  urg'd  the  Schools  in  vain  ; 
Then  deep  in  Thought,  within  my  Breaft 
My  Soul  retir'd,  and  Slumber  drefs'd 

A  bright  inflruclive  Scene. 
III. 
O'er  the  broad  Land's,  and  crofs  the  Tide* 
On  Fancy's  airy  Horfe  I  ride, 

(Sweet  Rapture  of  the  Mind  !) 
Till  on  the  Banks  of  Ganges  Flood, 
In  a  tall  ancient  Grove  I  flood 

For  facred  Ufe  4efign'd. 

IV. 
Hard  by,  a  venerable  Prieft, 
Ris'n  with  his  God,  the  Sun,  from  Reft, 

Awoke  his  Morning  Song  ; 
Thrice  he  conjur'd  the  murm'ring  Stream; 
The  Birth  of  Souls  was  ail  his  Theme, 

And  half-divine  his  Tongue. 
V. 
b  He  fang  th'  Eternal  rolling;  Flame, 
«  That  vital  Mafs,  that  ftill  the  fame 

"  Does  all  our  Minds  compofe  : 
"  But  fhap'd  in  twice  ten  thoufand  Frames  5 
"  Thence  diff'ring  Souls  of  diff'ring  Names, 

"  And  jarring  Tempers  rofe. 
VI. 
"  The  mighty  Power  that  form'd  the  Mind 
«<  One  Mould  for  every  Two  defign'd, 

"  And  blefs'd  the  ne.v  born  Pair : 
**  This  he  a  Matzh  for  this  :  (he  faid) 
u  Then  down  he  lent  the  Souls  he  made, 

<«  To  feek  them  Bodies  here  : 
VII. 
"  But  parting  from  their  warm  Abode     %% 
"  They  loft  then  Fellows  on  the  Road, 

**  And  never  join'd  their  Hands : 

H  2  "Ah 


148  LT.R.IC    PO  E  MS,       Book  I 

"  Ah  cruel  Chance,  and  croffing  Fates ! 
"  Our  Eajlern  Souls  have  dropt  their  Mates 

"  On  Europe's  barbarous  Lands. 
VIII. 
"  Happy  the  Youth  that  finds  the  Bride 
"  V/hofe  Birth  is  to  his  own  ally'd, 

"  The  fweeteft  Joy  of  Life  : 
"  But  oh  the  Crowds  of  wretched  Souls 
•*  Fetter'd  to  Minds  of  different  Moulds, 

"  And  chain'd  t'  Eternal  Strife  ! 
IX. 
Thus  fang  the  wond'rous  Indian  Bard  ; 
My  Soul  with  vail  Attention  heard, 

While  Ganges  ceas'd  to  flow  : 
"  Sure  then  (I  cry'd)  might  I  but  fee 
*«  That  gentle  Nymph  that  twinn'd  with  me, 

*l  I  may  be  happy  too. 

(f  Some  courteous  Angel,  tell  me  where, 
«'  What  d'hant  Lands  this   unknown  Fair, 

"  Or  diftant  Seas  detain  ? 
««  Swift  as  the  Wheel  of  Natare  rolls 
**  I'd  fly,  to  meet,  and  mingle  Souls, 

"  And  wear  the  joyful  Chain. 

TJu  Ha^y  Man, 

I. 

SERENE  as  Light,  is  MTR  O  N's  Soul,       . 
And  a&ive  as  the  Sun,  yet  fteady  as  the  Pole  : 
In  manly  Beauty  mines  his  Face  ; 
Every  Mufe,  and  every  Grace, 
Makes  his  Heart  and  Tongue  their  Seat, 
His  Heart  profufely  good,  his  Tongue  divinely  fweet. 
Ml' RON,  the  Wonder  of  our  Eyes, 
Behold  his  Manhood  fcarce  begun  ! 
Behold  his  Race  cf  Virtue  run  ! 
Behold  the  Goal  of  Glory  won  ! 
Not  Fame  denies  the   Merit,  nor  with-holds  the  Prize  ; 
Her  Silver  Trumpets  his  Renown  proclaim  : 

Th( 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  149 

Tlie  Lands  where  Learning  never  flew, 
Which  neither  Rome  nor  Athens  knew, 
Surly   Japan  and  rich  Peru, 
In  barbarous  Songs,  pronounce  the  Britijb  Hero's  Name. 

«!  Airy  Blifs  (the  Hero  cry'd) 
"  May  feed  the  Tympany  of  Pride ; 
"  But  healthy  Souls  were  never  found 
"  To  live  on  Emptinefs  and  Sound. 
II. 
Lo,  at  his  honourable  Feet 
Fame's  bright  Attendant,  Wealth,  appears; 
She  comes  to  pay  Obedience  meet, 
Providing  Joys  for  future  Years  ; 
Bleflings  with  lavifh  Hand  fhe  pours 
Gather'd  from  the  Indian  Coaft ; 
Noi  Danae's  Lap  could  equal  Treafures  boaft, 
When  Jove  came  down  in  golden  Show'ra. 

He  look'd  and  turn'd  his  Eyes  away, 
WTith  high  Difdain  I  heard  him  fay3 
**  Bli6  is  not  made  of  glittering  Clay. 

III. 
Now  Pomp  and  Grandeur  court  his  Head 
With  Scutcheons,  Arms,  and  Enfigns  fpread  ; 
Gay  Magnificence  and  State, 
Guards,  and  Chariots,  at  his  Gate, 
And  Slaves  in  endlefs  Order  round  his  Table  wait : 
They  learn  the  Dictates  of  his  Eyes, 
And  now  they  fall,  and  now  they  rife, 
Watch  every  Motion  of  their  Lord, 
Hang  on  his  Lips  with  moil  impatient  Zeal, 
With  fwift  Ambition  feize  th*  unfinifh'd  Word, 
And  the  Command  fulfil, 
Tir'd  with  the  Train  that  Grandeur  bring*, 
He  dropt  a  Tear,  and  pky'd  Kings:. 
Then  flying  from  the  noify  Throng, 
Seeks  the  Diversion  of  a  Song. 

iv.     s    .. 

Musick  defending  on  a  filent  Cloud, 

Tun'd  all  her  Strings  with  endlefs  Art;.., 
By  flow  Degrees  from  foft  to"  loud 

_        H  3  (Jhanging 


150         LYRIC    POEM  S,       Book  3 

Changing  ihe  rofe  :  The  Harp  and  Flute 
Harmonious  join,  the  Hero  to  falute, 

And  make  a  Captive  of  his  Heart. 
Fruits,  and  rich  Wine,  and  Scenes  of  lawlefs  Leva 

Each  with  utmoft  Luxury  ftrove 
To  treat  their  Favourite  bell ; 

But  founding  Strings,  and  Fruits,  and  Wine, 

And  lawlefs  Love,  in  vain  combine 
To  make  hit  Virtue  fleep,  or  lull  his  Soul  to  re& 

V. 
He  faw  the  tedious  Round,  and,  with  a  Sigh, 

Pronounc'd  the  World  but  Vanity. 

•«  In  Crowds  of  Pleafure  ftill  I  find 

**  A  painful  Solitude  of  Mind. 
X*  A  Vacancy  within  which  Senfe  can  ne'er  fopply, 

"  Hence,  and  be  gone,  ye  flattering  Snares, 

«'  Ye  vulgar  Charms  of  Eyes  and  Ears, 

«4  Ye  unperforming  Promifers  ! 

••  Be  all  my  bafer  Pafiions  dead, 

**  And  N^lb  "Dziiazi,  b'f  N-turs  mads 

*♦  For  Animals  and  Boys : 
•«  Man  has  a  Reliih  more  refin'd, 
«*  Souls  are  for  focial  Blifs  defign'd, 
"  Give  me  a  Bleffing  fit  to  match  my  Mind, 
"  A  Kindred- Soul  to  double  and  to  fhare  my  Joys* 
VI. 
MTRRHA  appear'd  :  Serene  her  Soul 
And  aeli<ve  as  the  Sun,  yet  fieady  as  the  Pole: 
In  fofter  Beauties  Jhone  her  Face  ; 
Every  Mu/e,  and  ewer  Grace, 
J/Lade  her  Heart  and  Tongue  their  Seaf9 
Her  Heart  profufely  good,  her  Tongue  divinely  fount  8 
MYRRHA  the  Wonder  of  his  Eyes ; 
Hi*  Heart  recoii'd  with  fweet  Surprize, 

With  Joys  unknown  before : 
His  Soul  diflolv'd  in  pleafmg  Pain, 
Flow'd  to  his  Eyes,  and  look'd  again, 

And  could  endure  no  more, 
«  Enough  !  (th*  impatient  Hero  cries) 

"  And  feia'd  her  to  his  Breaft, 
«•  I  feek  no  more  below  the  Skies, 
"  I  give  my  Slave*  the  reft. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  Sec.  151 

T     O 

DAVID    P  0  L  H  I  L  L,    Efq; 
An  Anfwer  to  an  infamous  Satyr,  called,  Advice  to  * 
Painter ;    written  by  a  namelefs  Author,    againft 
King  IVilliam  III.  of  Gloiious  Memory,  1698, 
SI  R, 
TTfH  E  N  you  put  this  Satyr  into  my  Hand,  you  gave  me 
the  Qccajion  of  employing  my  Pen  to  anfwer  J'e  deteft- 
able  a  Writing  ;  which  might  be  done  much  more  effectually 
hy  your  known  2*eal  for  the  Interejf  of  his  Majefly,  your 
Counfels  and  your  Courage  employ*  d  in  the  Defence  of  your 
King  and  Country.     And  fince  you  provoked  me  to  ivrite, 
you  will  accept  of  thefe  Efforts  of  my  Loyalty  to  the  bejl  of 
Kings  >  fiddrefs'd  to  one  of  the  mofi  xealons  of  his  Subjetfs,  hy, 

&   I    H, 

Your  Moil  Obedient  Servant,!** 

/.  w. 

# #  #  * ii###*#ifit#»t### 

P  A  R  T  II 

AND  xnuft.th*  Hero  that  redeem'd  our  Land, 
Here  in  the  Front  of  Vice  and  Scandal  {land  r 
The  Man  of  wondrous  Soul,  that  fec^n'd  hrs  Eafe, 
Tempting  the  Winters,  and  the  faithlefs  Seas, 
And  paid  an  annual  Tribute  of  his  Life 
To  guard  his  England  from  the  Irijh  Knife, 
To  crufh  the  French  Dragoon  ?  Mufl  William's  Name, 
That  brighteft  Star  that  gilds  the  Wings  of  Fame, 
William  the  Brave,  the  Pious,  and  the  Juft 
Adorn  thefe  gloomy  Scenes  of  Tyranny  and  Luft  ? 

POLHILL,  my  Blood  boiU  high,  my  Spirits  flame ;  ) 
Can  your  Zeal  fieep !  Or  are  your  Paffions  tame  ?         S 
Nor  call  Revenge  and  Darknefs  on  the  Poet's  Name  ?    3 
Why  fmoke  the  Skies  not  ?  Why  no  Thunders  roll  ? 
Nor  kindling  Lightnings  blaft  his  guilty  Soul  ? 
Audacious  Wretch  !  to  flab  a  Monarch's  Fame,  % 
And  Fire  his  Subjects  with  a  Rebel-Flame  -} 
To  call  the  Painter  to  his  black  Defigns, 
To  draw  our  Guardian's  J?ace  in  JjeJliiK  Lines.,  r 

Bafntef* 


ij2  LTRIC   POEMS,        Bookll 

Painter,  beware  !  the  Monarch  can  be  fhown 
Under  no  Shape  but  Angel*,  or  his  own, 
Gabriel,  or  William,  on  the  Britijb  Throne. 

O  !  could  my  Thought  bat  grafp  the  vaft  Derlgn, 
And  Words  with  infinite  Ideas  join, 
Td  roufe  Apelks,  from  his  Iron  Sleep, 
And  bid  him  trace  the  Warrior  o'er  the  Deep : 
Trace  him,  Apelles,  o'er  the  Belgian  Plain 
fierce,  how  he  climbs  the  Mountains  of  the  Slain, 
Scattering  juft  Vengeance  thro'  the  red  Campaign. 
Then  dam-  the  Canvas  with  a  flying  Stroke,  1 

Till  it  be  loft  in  Clouds  of  Fire  and  Smoke,         (broke.  C 
And  fay,  'Twas  thus  the  Conqueror  thro'  the  Squadrons  y 
.Mark  him  again  emerging  from  the  Cloud, 
Far  from  his  Troops ;  there  like  a  Rock  he  flood 
His  Country**  fingle  Barrier  in  a  Sea  of  Blood. 
Calmly  he  leaves  the  Pleafures  of  a  Throne, 
And  his  Maria  weeping  ;  whilft  alone 
He  wards  the  Fate  of  Nations,  and  provokes  his  $wn : 
But  Heav'n  fecures  its  Champion  ;  o'er  the  Field 
Paint  hov'ring  Angels  ;  tho'  they  fly  conceal'd, 
Each  intercepts  a  Death,  and  wears  it  on  his  Shield 

Now,  noble  Pencil,  lead  him  to  our  Ifle, 
Mark  how  the  Skies  with  joyful  Lultre  fmile, 
Then  imitate  the  Glory  on  the  Strand 
Spread  half  the  Nation,  longing  till  he  Land. 
Wafh  off  the  Blood,  and  take  a  peaceful  Teint, 
All  Red  the  Warrior,  White  the  Ruler  paint ; 
Abroad  a  Hero,  and  at  Home  a  Saint. 
Throne  him  on  high  upon  a  fhining  Seat, 
Luft  and  Profanenefs  dying  at  his  Feet, 
"While  round  his  Head  the  Laurel  and  the  Olive  meet. 
The  Crowns  of  War  and  Peace ;  and  may  they  blow 
With  flow'ry  Bleflings  ever  on  his  Brow. 
At  his  Right  Hand  pile  up  the  Englijh  Laws 
In  facred  Volumes ;  thence  the  Monarch  draws 
His  wifeand  juft  Commands 
Rife,  ye  old  Sages  of  the  Britijb  Ifle, 
On  the  fair  Tablet  caft  a  reverend  Smile, 
And  blefs  the  Piece ;  thefe  Statutes  are  your  own, 
■  That  fway  the  Cottage,  and  direct  the  Throne ; 

People 


1 

\ 

\ 
\ 
\ 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  153 

People  and  Prince  are  one  in  Williamh  Name, 
1  Their  Joys,  their  Dangers,  and  their  Laws  the  fame. 

Let  Liberty,  and  Right,  with  Plumes  difplay'd 
Clap  their  glad  Wings  around  their  Guardian's  Head, 
Religion  o'er  the  reit  her  flarry  Pinions  fpread. 
Religion  guards  him  ;  round  the  Imperial  Queen 
Place  waiting  Virtues,  each  of  heav'nly  Mein  ; 
Learn  their  bright  Air,  and  paint  it  from  his  Eyes"; 
The  Juft,  the  Bold,  the  Temperate,  and  the  Wife 
Dwell  in  his  Looks ;  Majellic,  but  Serene  ; 
Sweet,  with  no  Fondnefs ;  Chearful,  but  not  Vain  : 
Bright,   without  Terror;  Great,  without  Difdain, 
His  Soul  infpires  us  what  his  Lips  command, 
And  fpreads  his  brave  Example  thro'  the  Land  : 

Not  fo  the  former  Reigns ; 

Bend  down  his  Earth  to  each  afflicted  Cry, 

Let  Beams  of  Grace  dart  gently  from  his  Eye  j 

But  the  bright  Treafures  of  his  facred  Breaft 

Art  too  divine,  too  vail  to  be  expreii : 

Colours  muft  fail  where  Words  and  Numbers  faint, 

And  leave  the  Hero's  Heart  for  Thought  alone  to  paint.- 

PAR  T    II. 

NO  W,  Muff,  purfue  the  Satyrift  again, 
Wipe  off  the  Blots  of  his  invenom'd  Pen  j, 
Hark,  how  he  bids  the  Servile  Painter  draw, 
In  monftrous  Shapes,  the  Patrons  of  our  Law  ; 
"At  one  flight  Dafh  he  cancels  every  Name 
From  the  white  Rolls  of  Honefty  and  Fame  : 
This  fcribling  Wretch  marks  all  he  meets  for  Knave, 
Shoots  fudden  Bolts  promifcuoiis  at  the  Bafe  and  Bravey 
And  with  unpardonable  Malice  Iheds 
Poiibn  and  Spite  on  undiftinguilh'd  Heads. 
Painter,  forbear;  or  if  thy  bolder  Hand 
Dares  to  attempt  the  Villains  of  the.  Land, 
Draw  firil  this  Poet,  like  fome  balefui  Star,    : 
With  filent  Influence  fhedding  Civil  War ; 
Or  factious  Trumpeter,  w'hofe  Magic  Sound    ' 
Calls  oir  the  Subjects  to  the  hoftile  Ground, 
And  fcatters-  helliih  Feuds  the  Nation  round, 

-   Tke'fe 


I 


*54  LT  R  1  C    POEMS,       Book  II. 

Thefeare the  Imps  of  Heil,  that  curfed  Tribe 

That  firfs  create  the  Plague,  and  then  the  Pain  defcribe* 


Draw  next  above,  the  Great  Ones  of  our  Me, 
Still  from  the  Good  diftinguifhing  the  Vile  ; 
Seat  'em  in  Pomp,  in  Grandeur,  and  Command, 
Peeling  the  Subjects  with  a  greedy  Hand : 
Paint  forth  the  Knaves  that  have  the  Nations  folc^ 
And  tinge  their  greedy  Looks  with  fordid  Gold. 
Mark  what  a  felfifh  Faction  undermines 
The  pioijs  Monarch's  generous  Defigns, 
Spoil  their  own  native  Land  as  Vipers  do, 
Vipers  that  tear  their  Mother's  Bowels  through 
Let  Great  NaJjTaa  beneath  a  careful  Crown, 
Mournful  in  Majefty,  look  gently  down, 
Mingling  foft  Pity  with  an  awful  Frown : 
He  grieves  \o  fee  how  long  in  vain,  he  ftrove 
To  make  us  bleft,  how  vain  his  Labours  prove 
To  fave  the  flubborn  Land  he  condefcends  to  love. 

To  the  Difcmtented  and  Unquiet. 

Imitated  partly,  from  Cafimire,  R.  IV.  Od.  15. 

J?  AR  I  A,  there's  nothing  here  that's  free 

From  wearifome  Anxiety : 
And  the  whole  Round  of  mortal  Joys 
With  fhort  Pofleffion  tires  and  cloys : 
3Tis  a  dull  Circle  ihat  we  tread, 
juft  from  the  Window  to  the  Bed, 
We  rife  to  fee  and  to  be  feen 
Gaze  on  the  World  awhile  and  then. 
We  yawn,  and  itretch  to  fleep  again. 
]But  Fancy,  that  uneafy  Gueil, 
Still  holds  a  longing  in  our  Breaft  : 
She  finds  or  frames  Vexations  Hill, 
Herfelf  the  greateft  Plague  we  feel, 
We  take  flrange  Pleafure  in  our  Pain, 
And  make  a  Mountain  of  a  Grain, 
Aflume  the  Load,  and  pant  and  fweat 
Beneath  th'  imaginary  Weight. 
With  our  dear  khes  we  live  at  Strife, 
While  the  moft  conflant  Scenes  of  lift 

Fro© 


I 


Saered  to  VHtTtfg,  &c.  x%% 

From  peevim  Humours  arc  not  free  ; 

Still  we  arFed  Variety  : 

Rather  than  pafs  an  eafy  Day, 

We  fret  and  chide  the  Hours  away, 

Grow  weary  of  this  circling  Sun, 

And  vex  that  he  ihould  ever  run 

The  fame  old  Track  ^  and  Hill,  and  fH!t 

Rife  red  behind  yon  Eaitern  Hill, 

And  chide  the  Moon  that  darts  her  Light 

Thro*  the  fame  Cafement  every  Night. 

We  fhift  our  Chambers,  and  our  Homes, 
*  To  dwell  where  Trouble  never  come*  > 
Sylvia  has  left  the  City  Crowd, 

Againft  the  Court  exclaims  afoud,  J 

Flies  to  the  Woods ;  a  Hermit-Saint ! 
She  loaths  her  Patches,  Pins,  and  Paint, 
Dear  Diamonds  from  her  Neck  are  torn  : 
But  Humour,  that  Eternal  Thorn, 
Sticks  in  her  Heart :  She  is  hurry'd  Hill, 
*Twixt  her  wild  Paffions  and  her  Will : 
HauHted  and  hagg'd  where-e'er  me  roves, 
By  purling  Streams,  and  filent  Groves, 
Or  with  her  Furies,  or  her  Loves. 

Then  our  own  native  Land  we  hate, 
Too  cold,  too  windy,  or  too  wet; 
Change  the  thick  Climate,  and  repai£ 
To  France  or  Italy  for  Air  ; 
In  vain  we  change,  in  vain  we  fly  ; 
Go,  Sylvia,  mount  the  whirling  Sky, 
Or  ride  upon  the  feather'd  Wind 
In  vain;  if  this  difea&d  Mind 
Clings  fall,  and  Aill  fits  clofe  behind. 
Faithful  Difeaie,  that  never  fail* 
Attendance  at  her  Lady's  Side, 
Over  the  Defart  or  the  Tide, 
On  rolling  Wheels,  or  flying  Sails* 

Happy  the  Soul  that  Virtue  (how* 
To  fix  the  Place  of  Her  Repofe, 
Needlefs  to  move ;  for  ihe  can  dwell 
Jn  her  old  Graadfire's  Hall  ai  wsUt 

Y"r.&T?f 


i56         L  r  R  I  C    P  0  E  MS,       Book  II 

Virtue  that  never  loves  to  roam, 
But  fweetly  bides  her  felf  at  home. 
And  eafy  on  a  native  Throne 
Of  humble  Turf  fits  gently  down. 

Yet  mould  tumultuous  Storms  arife, 
And  mingle  Earth,  and  Seas,  and  Skies, 
Should  the  Waves  fwell,  and  make  her  roll 
Acrofs  the  Line,  or  near  the  Pole,. 
Still  me  is  at  Peace;  for  well  (he  knows 
To  launch  the  Stream  that  Duty  lliows, 
And  makes  her  Home,  where  e'er  me  goes, 
Bear  her,  ye  Seas  upon  your  Breaft, 
Or  waft  her,  Winds,  from  Eafi  to  Wejl 
On  the  foft  Air ;  Tfte  cannot  find 
A  Couch  fo  eafy  as  her  Mind, 
Nor  breath  a  Climate  half  fo  kind. 

T    O 

JOHN    H  A  RTO  P  P,    Efq; 

NOW 

Sir  J  O  H  N    H  A  R  T  O  P  P,    Barf, 
Cafimire^  Book  I.  Ode  4.  imitated. 
Vi*ue  jucunda  metuens  juventa,  Sec. 

July  1700. 

LIVE,   my  dear  HJRTOPP,  live  to  Day, 
Nor  let  the  Sun  look  down  and  fay, 
44  Inglorious  here  he  lies, 
Shake  off  your  Eafe,  and  fend  your  Name 
To  Immortality  and  Fame, 
By  cv'ry  Hour  that  flies. 

ir. 

Youth's  a  foft  Scene,  but  trull  her  not : 
Her  airy  Minute*,,  fwift  as  Thought, 

Slide  off  the  ilipp'r.y  .Sphere  ; 
Moons  with  their  Months  make  haity  Rounds, 
The  Sun  has  pafs'd  his  .vernal  Bounds, 

And  whirls  about  the  Year, 

a. 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  "&c.  157 

HI. 
Let  Folly  drefs  in  green  and  red, 
And  gird  her  Wafte  with  flowing  Gold 
Knit  blulhing  Rofes  round  her  Head,    - 
Alas  !  the  gaudy  Colours  fade, 

The  Garment  waxes  old. 
H  ART  O  P  Pf  mark  the  withering  Rofe, 
And  the  pale  Gold- ho.w  dim  it  fhows.1 

IV. 
'Bright  and  lafling  Blifs  below 

Is  all  Romance  and  Dream  j 
Only  the  Joys  celeftial  flow 

In  an  eternal  Stream, 
The  Pleafures  that  the  fmiling  Daj 

With  large  Right  Hand  bellows* 
Falfely  her  left  conveys  away, 

And  muffles  in  our  Woes- 
So  have  I  feen  a  Mother  play*  P 

And  cheat  her  filly  Child, 
She  gave  and  took  a  Toy  away* 
,.■    The  Infant  cry'd  and  fmil'd„ 
.  V. 
Airy  Chance,  and  Iron  Fate, 
Hurry  and  vex  our  mortal  State* 
And  all  the  Race  of  Ills  create  ; 
Now  fiery  Joy,  now  fullen  Grief, 
Command  the  Reins  of  .human  Life* 

The  Wheels  impetuous  roll  j 
The  harneft  Hours  and  Minutes  drive, 
And  Days  with  irretching  Pinions  drive 
down  fiercely  on  the  GoaL 
VI. 
Not  half  fo  faft  the  Gaily  flies 

O'er  the  Venetian  Sea, 
When  Sails,  and  Oars,  and  laboring  Skies  ' 

Contend  to  make  her  Way. 
Swift  'Wings  for  alt  the  flying  Hours 

The  God  of  Time  prepares,. 
The  reft  lie.  full  yet  in  their  Nefl 

And  grow  for  fulure  Years.. 

k  TO 


t5S         LYRIC    POEMS,         BookH 

T    O 

THOMAS    Q  U  N  S  TO  Ny    E% 

1700. 

Happy  Solitude, 

Caftmire,  Book  IV.  Od.  12.  imitate^ 

Quid  me  latentem%  &c. 

I. 

TH  E  noffy  World  complains  of  me 
That  I  ihould  fhun  their  Sight,  and  flee 
Vifits,  and  Crowds,  and  Company. 
GUNSTONy  the  Lark  dwells  in  her  Ne£ 

Till  ihe  afcends  the  Skies ; 
And  in  my  Clofet  I  could  reft 
Till  to  the  Heavens  I  riie. 
II. 
Yet  they  will  urge,  «*  This  private  Life 
**  Can  never  make  you  bleft, 
"  And  twenty  Doors  are  ftill  at  ftrife 
"  Tr  engage  you  for  a  Gueft. 
Friend,  Ihould  the  Towers  of  Wind/or  or  Whitth£# 
Spread  open  their  inviting  Gates 
To  make  my  Entertainment  gay  ; 
I  would  obey  the  Royal  Call, 

But  fhort  ihould  be  my  Stay* 
Since  a  diviner  Service  waits 
T*  employ  my  Hours  at  home,  and  better  fill  the  IW, 
III. 
When  I  within  my  Self  retreat, 
I  (hut  my  Doors  againft  the  Great ; 
My  bufy  Eye-balls  inward  roll, 
And  there  with  large  Survey  I  fee 
All  the  wide  Theatre  of  Me, 
And  view  the  various  Scenes  of  my  retiring  Soul ; 
Their  I  walk  o'er  the  Mazes  I  have  trod, 
While  Hope  and  Fear  are  in  a  doubtful  Strife* 

Whether  this  Opera  of  Life 
Be  atted  well  to  gain  the  Plaudit  of  xty  God. 

IV 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  ks+  159 

1Y. 
^There's  a  Day  haflning,  ('tis  an  awful  Day  !) 
When  the  great  Sovereign  mall  at  large  review 
All  that  we  fpeak,  and  all  we  do, 
The  feveral  Parts  we  aft  on  this  wide  Stage  of.  Clay  i 

Thefe  he  approves,  and  thofe  he  blames, 
And  crowns  perhaps  a  Porter,  and  a  Prince  he  damns* 
O  if  the  Judge  from  his  tremendous  Seat 
Shall  not  condemn  what  I  have  done* 
I  fhall  be  happy  tho'  unknown, 
Nor  need  the  gazing  Rabble,  nor  the  fhouting  Street 

I  hate  the  Gloryy.  Friend,  that  fprings 
From  Vulgar  Breath  and  empty  Sound  ; 
Fame  mounts  her  upward  with  a  flatt'ring  Gale 

Upon  her  airy  Wings, 
Till  Envy  moots,  and  Fame  receives  the  Wounds* 
Then  her  flagging  Pinions  fail, 
Down  Glory  falls  and  flrike  the  Ground, 
And  breaks  her  batter'd  Limbs. 
Rather  let  me  be  quite  conceaPd  from  Fame  ;. 
How  happy  I  ihould  lie 
In  fweet  Obfcurity, 
Nor  the  loud  World  pronounce  my  little  Name? 
Here  I  could  live  and  die  alone  i 
Or  if  Society  be  due 
To  keep  our  Tafte  of  Pleafure  newr 

GUNS*? ON,  I'd  live  and  die  with  you* 
For  both  our  Souls  are  one. 
VI. 
Here  we  could  fit  and  pafs  the  Hour, 
And  pity  Kingdoms,  and-  their  Kings*. 
And  fmile  at  all  their  mining  Things, 
Their  Toys  of  State,  and  Images  of  Power  j. 
Virtue  mould  dwell  within  our  Seat, 
Virtue  alone  could  make  it  fweeV 
Nor  is  her  ielf  fccure,  but  in  a  clpfe  Retreat. 
While  fhe  withdraws  from  public  PrahV 
Envy  perhaps  would  ceafe  to  rail, 
Mnvy  itielf  may  innocently  gaxe 
h\  Beauty  in  a  Vail  a 


i6'o  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  I] 

But  if  (he  once  advance  to  Light, 
Her  Charms  are  Jolt  in  Envy's  Sight, 
And  Virtue  ftands  the  Mark  of  univerfal  Spight. 

JOHN    H  A  RT  O  P  P,    Efq; 

NOW 

Sir  J  0  H  N    H  A  R  T  0  P  Pf    Bare. 

The  Difdain. 

TJAR  TOPP,  I  love  the  Soul  that  dares 
Tread  the  Temptations  of  his  Years 

Beneath  his  youthful  Feet : 
F  L  E  E  r  W  O  O  D  and  all  thy  heavenly  Line 
Look  thro'  the  Stars  and  fmile  divine 

Upon  an  Heir  fo  great. 
Young  HART  OP  P  knows  this  noble  Theme, 
That  the  wild  Scenes  of  bufy  Life, 
The  Noife,  th*  Amufements,  and  the  Strife 
Are  but  the  Vifions  of  the  Night, 
Gay  Phantoms  of  delufive  Light, 

Or  a  vexatious  Dream. 

II. 
Flefh  is  the  vileft  and  the  kail 

Ingredient  of  our  Frame  : 
We're  born  to  live  above  the  Beaff, 

Or  -quit  the  manly  Name. 
Pleasures  of  Senfe  we  leave  for  Boy  a  ; 
Be  mining  Dutt  the  Mifer's  Food  ; 
Let  Fancy  feed  on  Fame  and  Noife, 
Souls  muft  purfue  diviner  Joys,. 

And  feize  the  immortal  Good. 

T    O 

M IT 10,  my  Friend. 

An   EPISTLE. 

pORGIVE  mey   MITIO,  that  there  fhould  he  any 

mortifying  Lines  in  the  following  Poems  infer ibed  to  your 

fo  foon  after  your  Entrance  into  that  State  which  nuas  de- 

Jigti'd  for  the  compleateji  Happinefs  on  Earth  ."-  .  But  you  will 

quickly  difcovtr,  thai  the  Muft  in  the  firfl  Poem  only  rcpre~' 

fentf 


I] 

Sacred  to  Virtue,  kc.  ioi 

fats  the  Shades  and  dark  Colours  that  Melancholy  throws 
upon  Lo<ve,  and  the  Social  Life.  :  In  the  fecond,  perhaps  Jhe 
s#  indulges  her  own  bright  Ideas  a  little.  Yet  if  the  Accounts 
'  are  but  well  ballanced  at  lafi,  and  things  fet  in  a  due 
Light,  I  hope  there  is  no  Ground  for  Cenfure.  Here  you 
will  find  a\  At  tempt  made  to  talk  of  one  of  the  mojl  impor- 
tant Concerns  of  human  Nature  in  Verfe,  and  that  with  a 
Solemnity  becoming  the  Argument.  I  ha<ve  banijhed  Grimace 
and  Ridicule,  that  Perfons  of  the  mojl  ferious  Character 
may  read  without  Offence.  What  was  written  federal 
Tears  ago  to  your  felf  is  now  permitted  to  entertain  the 
World ;  but  you  may  affume  it  to  your  felf  as  a  private  En- 
tertainment filly  white  you  lie  concealed  behind  a  feigned 
Name. 

The  Mouniing-Piece, 

LI  F  E's  a  long  Tragedy  :  This  Globe  the  Stage,, 
Well  fix'd  and  well  adorn'd  with  ftrong  Machines,, 
Gay. Fields,  and  Skies,  and  Seas :  The  A&ors  many  % 
The  Plot  immenfe :  A  Flight  ©f  Demons  fit 
On  every  failing  Cloud  with  fatal  Purpofe  ; 
And  fhoot  acrois  the  Scenes  ten  thoufand  Arrows 
Perpetual  and  unfeen,  headed  with  Pain, 
With  Sorrow,  Infamy,  Difeafe  and  Death. 
The  pointed  Plagues  fly  fiient  thro'  the  Air 
Nor  twange  the  Bow,  yet  fure  and  deep  the  Woand, 

Dianthe  a&s  her  little  Part  alone, 
Nor  wiihes  an  Affociate.     Lo  fhe  glides 
Single  thro'  all  the  Storm,  and  more  fecure  ; 
Lefs  are  her  Dangers,  and  her  Breait  receives 
The  fevveil  Darts.     "  Bat,  O  my  lov'd  MariJla, 
"  My  Sifter,  once  my  Friend,  (Dianthe  cries) 
*'  How  much  art  thou  exposed!  Thy  growing  Soul 
*'  Doubled  in  Wedlock,  muiciply'd  in  Children, 
*■  Stands  but  the  broader  Mark  for  all  the  Mifchiefs 
"  That  rove  promifcuous  o'er  the  mortal  Stagey 
"  Children,  thofe  dear  young  Limbs,  thofe  tendereft  Pieces 
'*  Of  our  own  Fleih,  thofe  little  other  Selves, 
"  How  they  dilate  the  Heart  to  wide  Dimenfions, 
"  And  foften  every  Fibre  to  improve 
f  The  Mother's  fad  Capacity  of  £am ! 

**  I  mourn 


i62  LYRIC    POEM S9       Book  II 

"  I  mourn  Fidelio  too ;  tho*  Heav  en  has  chofe 

"  A  Favourite  Mate  for  him,  of  all  her  Sex 

t(  The  Pride  and  Flower :  How  bleft  the  lovely  Pair, 

"  Beyond  Expreflion ,  if  well  mingled  Loves 

4t  And  Woes  well  mingled  could  improve  our  Blifs  J 

"  Amidft  the  rugged  Cares  of  Life  behold 

1  •  The  Father  and  the  Hufband  :  flattering  Names, 

*  That  fpread  his  Title,  and  enlarge  his  Share 

•'  Of  common  Wretched nefs.     He  fondly  hopes 

u  To  multiply  his  Joys,  but  every  Hour 

•*  Renews  the  Difappointment  and  the  Smart. 

"  There  not  a  Wound  affi.i&s  the  meaneft  Joint 

*'  Of  his  fair  Partner,  or  her  Infant-Train, 

"  (Sweet  Babes !)  but  pierce*  to  his  inmoft  Sou!, 

u  Strange  is  thy  Power,  O  Love  !  what  numerous  Veins, 

"  And  Arteries,  and  Arms,  and  Hands,  and  Eyes, 

"  Are  link'd  and  faften'd  to  a  Lover's  Heart, 

u  By  flrong  but  fecret  Strings  I  with  vain  Attempt 

**  We  put  the  Stoic  on,  in  vain  we  try 

Si  To  break  the  Ties  of  Nature  and  of  Blood  ; 

"  Thofe  hidden  Threads  maintain  the  dear  Communion 

•'  Inviolably  firm  :  their  thrilling  Motions 

u  Reciprocal  give  endlefs  Sympathy 

"  In  all  the  Bitters  and  the  Sweets  of  Life. 

"  Thrice  happy  Man,  if  Pleafure  only  knew 

**  Thefe  Avenues  of  Love  to  reach  our  Souls, 

'•  And  Pain  had  never  found  *em  1 

Thus  fang  the  tuneful  Maid,  fearful  to  try 
The  Bold  Experiment.     Oft  Daphnis  came, 
And  oft  Narcafus,  Rivals  of  her  Heart, 
Luring  her  Eyes  with  Trifles  dipt  in  Gold, 
And  the  gay  filken  Bondage.     Firm  (he  flood, 
And  bold  repuls'd  the  bright  Temptation  itill, 
Nor  put  the  Chains  on  ;  Dangerous  to  try, 
And  hard  to  be  diflblv'd.     Yet  riftng  Tears 
Sate  on  her  Eye-lids,  while  her  Numbers  fiow'd 
Harmonious  Sorrow;  and  t'.e  pitying  Drops 
Stole  down  her  Cheeks,  to  mou  n  the  I  aplefs  State 
Of  mortal  Live.     Love,  thou  b  ft  jrnt 

To  foften  Life,  and  make  our  lr<  n  C  , 
Eaiy  ;  But  thy  own  Cares  of  footer  K 

r-ivt 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c»  163 

jive  ffiarper  Wounds  :  They  lodge  too  near  the  Heart, 
Seat,  like  the  Pulfe,  perpetual,    and  create 
\  flrange  uneafy  Senfe,  a  tempting  Pain. 

Say,  my  Companion  MIT  10,  ipeak  lincere, 
For  thou  art  learned  now)  what  anxious  Thoughts* 
What  kind  Perplexities  tumultuous  rife, 
[f  but  the  Abfence  of  a  Day  divide 
Thee  from  thy  fair  beloved  !  Vainly  fmiles- 
The  chearful  Sun,  and  Night  with  radiant  Eye* 
Twinkles  in  vain  :  The  Region  of  thy  Soul 
h  Darktiefs,  till  thy  better  Star  appear. 
Tell  me,  what  Toil,  what  Torment  to  fuftam 
The  roiling  Burden  of  the  tedious  Hours  £ 
The  tedious  Hours  are  Ages.     Fancy  roves 
;Reftlefs  in  fond  Enquiry,  nor  believes 
Cbarijfa  fafe :  Charijfay  in  whofe  Life 
Thy  Life  connfts,  and  in  her  Comfort  thine. 
Fear  and  Surmile  put  on  a  thoufand  Forms 
Qf  dear  Difquietude,  and  round  thine  Eara 
Whifper  ten  thoufand  Dangers,  endlefs  Woes, 
Till  thy  Frame  lhudders  at  her  fancy'd  Death  j 
Then  dies  my  MIT 10,  and  his  Blood  creeps  cold 
Thro*  every  Vein.    Speak,  does  the  Stranger  Mufe 
Cad  happy  Guefles  at  the  unknown  Paffion, 
Or  has  Ihe  fabled  all  ?  Inform  me,  Friend, 
Are  half  thy  joys  ilncere  t  Thy  Hopes  fulfill'd, 
Or  fruftrate  t  Here  commit  thy  fecret  Griefs 
To  faithful  Ears,  and  be  they  bory*d  here 
In  Friendship  and  Oblivion ;  left  they  fpoii 
Thy  new-born  Pleafures  with  diflafteful  Galf^ 
Nor  let  thine  Eye  too  greedily  drink  in 
The  frightful  Profpecl,  when  untimely  Death 
Shall  make  wide  Inroads  on  a  Parent?  Heart, 
And  his  dear  Oitspring  to  the  cruel  Grave 
Are  dragg'd  in  fad  SucceiEon,  while  his  Soul 
Is  torn  away  Piece- Meal :  Thus,  dies  the  Wretch 
A  various  Death,  and  frequent,  e'er  he  quit 
The  Theatre,  and  make  his  Exit  final. 

But  if  his  deareft  Half,  his  faithful  Mate 
Survive,  and  in  the  fweeteffc  iaddeft  Air* 

m 


164  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,        Book  IL 

Of  Love  and  Grief,  approach  with  trembling  Hand 
To  clofe  his  fwimming  Eyes,  what  double  Pangs, 
What  Racks,  what  Twinges  rend  his  Heart-firings  off 
From  the  Fair  Bofona  of  that  Fellow-Dove 
He  leaves  behind  to  mourn  ?  What  jealous  Cares 
Hang  on  his  parting  Soul,  to  think  his  Love 
Expos'd  to  wild  Oppreffion,  and  the  Herd 
Of  favage  Men  ?  So  parts  the  dying  Turtle 
With  fobbing  Accents,  with  fuch  fad  Regret 
Leaves  his  kind  feather'd  Mate  :  The  Widow  Bird 
Wanders  in  lonefome  Shades,   forgets  her  Food, 
Forgets  her  Life;  or  falls  a  fpeedier  Prey 
To  talon'd  Faulcons,  and  the  crooked  Beak 
Of  Hawks  athirft  for  Blood 

**************************** 

The  Second  PART:  Or, 

The  bright  Vifiort. 

THUS  far  the  Mufe,  in  unaccuftom'd  Mood, 
And  Strains  unpleafmg  to  a  Lover's  Ear, 
Indulg'd  a  Gloom  of  Thought ;  and  thus  fhe  fang 
Partial ;  for  Melancholy's  hateful  Form 
Stood  by  in  fable  Robe  :  The  penfive  Mufe 
Survey'd  thef  darkfome  Scenes  of  Life,  and  fought 
Some  bright  relieving  Glimpfe,  fome  cordial  Ray 
In  the  fair  World  of  Love :  But  while  me  gaz'd 
Delightful  on  the  State  of  Twin-born  Souls 
United,   blefs'd,  the  cruel  Shade  apply'd 
A  dark  long  Tube,  and  a  falfe  tin&urM  Glafe 
Deceitful ;  blending  Love  and  Life  at  once 
In  Darknefs.  Chaos,  and  the  common  Mafs 
Of  Mifery  :  Now  Urania  feels  the  Cheat, 
And  breaks  the  hated  Optic  in  Difdain. 
Swift  vanifhes  the  Allien  Form,  and  la 
The  Scene  lhines  bright  with  Blifs  :  Behold  the  Place 
Where  Mifchiefs  never  fly,  Cares  never  come 
With  wrinkled  Brow,  nor  Anguifh,   nor  Difeafo, 
Nor  Malice  forky-tongu'd.     On  this  dear  i>pot, 
MIT  JO,  my  Love  would  fix  and  plant  thy  Station 
To  aft  thy  Part  of  Life,  ferene  and  bleft 
With  the  fair  Confort  htted  to  thy  Heart. 

Sure 


Sacred  io  Virtue,  &e»  165 

Sure  'tis  a  Vifion  of  that  happy  Grove 
Where  the  firft  Authors  of  our  mournful  Race 
Liv'd  in  fweet  Partnership  I  one  Hour  they  liv'd, 
But  chang'd  the  tailed  Blifs  (imprudent  Pair !) 
For  Sin,  and  Shame,  and  this  walk  Wildernefs 
Of  Briars,  and  nine  hundred  Years  of  Pain. 
The  wilhing  Mufe  new-drefles  the  fair  Garden 
Amid  this  Defart- World,  with  budding  Blifs, 
And  Ever-Greens,  and  Balms,  and  flow'ry  Beauties 
Without  one  dangerous  Tree  :  There  heavenly  Dews 
Nightly  defcending  fhall  impear!  the  Grafs 
And  verdant  Herbage ;  Drops  of  Fragrancy 
Sit  trembling  on  the  Spires  :  The  fpicy  Vapours 
Rife  with  the  Dawn,  and  thro*  the  Air  diffus'd 
Salute  your  waking  Senfes  with  Perfume  : 
While  vital  Fruits,  with  their  Ambrofial  Juice 
Renew  Life's  purple  Flood  and  Fountain,  pure 
From  vicious  Taint;  and  with  your  Innocence 
Immortalize  the  Structure  of  your  Clay. 
On  this  new  Paradife  the  cloudlefs  Skies 
Shall  fmiie  perpetual,  while  the  Lamp  of  Day 
With  Flames  unfuily'd,  (as  the  fabled  Torch 
Of  Hymen)  meafures  out  your  golden  Hours 
Along  his  Azure  Road.     The  nuptial  Moon 
In  milder  Rays  ferene,  mould  nightly  rife 
Full  orb'd  (if  Heaven  and  Nature  will  indulge 
So  fair  an  Emblem)  big  with  Silver  Joys, 
And  ftill  forget  her  Wane.     The  feather'd  Choir 
Warbling  their  Maker's  Praife  on  early  Wing, 
Or  perch'd  on  Evening-Bough,  mail  join  your  Worfhip, 
Join  your  fweet  Vefpers,  and  the  Morning  Song. 

O  facred  Symphony  !  Hark,  thro'  the  Grove 
1  hear  the  Sound  Divine  !  I'm  all  Attention, 
All  Ear,  all  Extafy ;  unknown  Delight ! 
And  the  fair  Mufe  proclaims  the  Heav'n  below. 

Not  the  feraphic  Minds  of  high  Degree 
Difdain  Converie  with  Men  :  Again  returning 
I  fee  th'  Ethereal  Hort  on  downward  Wing. 
Lo,  at  the  Eaftern  Gate  young  Cherubs  ftand 
Guardians,  conuniffion'd  to  convey  their  Joys 

To 


i66         LYRIC  POEMS,        Book  II. 

To  earthly  Lovers.     Go,  ye  happy  Pair, 

Go  tafte  their  Banquet,  Jearn  the  nobler  Pleafures 

Supernal,  and  from  brutal  Drtgs  rerin'd. 

Raphael  foall  teach  thee,  Friend,  exalted  Thoughts 

And  intellectual  Biifs.     'Twas  Raphael  taught 

The  Patriarch  of  our  Progeny  th'  Affairs 

Of  Heaven  :  (So  Milton  lings,  enlighmed  Bard  ! 

Nor  mifs'd  his  Eyes,  when  in  fublimeit.  Strain 

The  AngePs  great  Narration  he  repeats 

To  Albion**  Sons  higa  favour'd)  Thcu  malt  learn 

Celeilial  Leflbns  from  his  awful  Tongue  ; 

And  with  foft  Grace  and  interwoven  Loves 

(Grateful  Digrrffion)  all  his  Words  rehearfe 

To  thy  Chari//ays  Ear,  and  charm  her  Soul. 

Thus  with  divine  Difcourfe,  in  fhady  Bowers 

Of  Eden,  our  fiift  Father  entertain'd 

£ve  his  fole  Auditrefs :  and  deep  Difpute 

With  conjugal  Carefles  on  her  Lip 

Solv'd  eafy,  and  abftrufeft  Thoughts  reveaPd. 

Now  the  Day  wears  apace,  now  MIT  JO  comes 
From  his  bright  Tutor,  and  finds  out  his  Mate. 
Behold  the  dear  AlTociates  feated  low 
On  humble  Turf,  with  Rofe  and  Myrtle  ftrow'd  ; 
But  high  their  Conference  !  how  felf-fufftVd 
Lives  their  Eternal  Maker,  girt  around 
With  Glories :  arm'd  with  Thunders ;  and  his  Throne 
Mortal  Accefs  forbids,  projecting  far 
Splendors  unfufferable  and  radiant  Death. 
With  Reverence  and  Abafement  deep  they  fall 
Before  his  Sovereign  MajelTy,  to  pay 
Due  Worfhip  :  Then  his  Mercy  on  their  Souls 
Smiles  with  a  gentler  Ray,  but  Sovereign  frill ; 
And  leads  their  Meditation  and  Difcourfe 
Long  Ages  backward,  and  atrofs  the  Seas 
To  Bethlehem  of  Judab :  There  the  Son, 
The  filial  Godhead,  Character  exprefs 
Of  Brightnefs  inexpreflible,  laid  by 
His  beamy  Robes,  and  made  Defcent  to  Earth 
Sprung  from  the  Sons  of  Adam  he  became 
A  fecond  Father,  ftudious  to  regain 
Loft  Paradife  for  Men,  and  purchafe  Heav'n. 

The 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c.  167 

The  Lovers  with  Indearment  mutual  thus 
Promifcuous  talk'd,  and  Queftions  intricate 
His  manly  Judgment  Hill  refolv'd,  and  ftill 
Held  her  Attention  fix'd  :  Ihe  muiing  fat 
On  the  fweet  mention  of  Incarnate  Love, 
Till  Rapture  wak'd  her  Voice  to  fofter  Strains, 
*'  She  fang  the  Infant  God  ;  (myfterious  Theme  !) 
f*  How  viie  his  Birth-place,  and  his  Cradle  vile  ! 
**  The  Ox  and  Afs  his  mean  Companions;  there 
9*  in  Habit  vile  the  Snepherds  flock  around, 
"  Saluting  the  great  Mother,  and  adore 
"  I/rad'b  anointed  K.ing,  the  appointed  Heir 
"  Of  the  Creation.     How  debas'd  he  lies 
|«  Beneath  his  Regal  State;  for  thee,  my  M ITIO, 
*'  Debas'd  in  fervile  Form  ;  but  Angels  flood 
P*  Miniftring  round  their  Charge  with  folded  Wings 
*«  Obfequious,  tho'  unfeen  ;  while  lightfome  Hours 
"  FulnTd  the  Day,  and  the  grey  Evening  rofe. 
••  Then  the  fair  Guardians  htv'rmg  o*er  his  Head 
"  Wakeful  all  Night,  drive  the  foul  Spirits  far, 
**  And  with  their  fanning  Pinions  purge  the  Air 
m  From  bufy  Phantoms,  from  infectious  Damps, 
"  Ana  impure  Taint ;  while  their  Ambrofial  Plume! 
"  A  dewy  Slumber  on  his  Senfes  fhed. 
"  Alternate  Hymnc  the  heavenly  Watches  fung 
*l  Melodious,  foothing  the  furrounding  Shades, 
u  And  kept  the  Darknefs  chafte  and  holy.  Then 
"  Midnight  was  charm'd,  and  all  her  gazing  Eyes 
6i  WonderM  to  fee  their  mighty  Maker  deep. 
"  Behold  the  Glooms  difpsrie,  the  rofy  Morn 
"  Smiles  in  the  Eajl  with  Eye  lids  opening  fair, 
'«  But  not  fo  fair  as  thine ;  O  I  could  fold  Thee, 
c'  My  young  Almighty,  my  Creator-Babe, 
"  For  ever  in  thefe  Arras !  For  ever  dwell 
<i  Upon  thy  lovely  Form  with  gazing  Joy, 
"  And  every  Pulle  -mould  beat  Seraphic  Love  ! 
"  Around  my  Seat  fhould  crouding  Cherubs  come 
**  With  fwift  Ambition,  zealous  to  attend, 
"  Their  Prince,  and  form  a  Heav'n  below  the  Sky. 

"  Forbear,  Chkrifa,  O  forbear  the  Thought 
m  Of  Female-Fc^ridnefs,  and  forgive  the  Maa 

/  M  Thai 


i68  LTRIC    POEMS,       Book  ft 

**  That  interrupts  fuch  melting  Harmony  ! 

Thus  M  IT  I O,  and  awakes  her  nobler  Powers 

To  pay  juil  Worihip  to  the  facred  King, 

JESUS,  the  God;  nor  with  Devotion  pure 

Mix  the  CarefTes  of  her  fofter  Sex ; 

(Vain  Blandifhment)  "  Come,  turn  thine  Eyes  afide 

**  From  BctMt'em,  and  climb  up  the  doleful  Steep 

41  Of  bloody  Calvary,  where  naked  Sculls 

"  Pave  the  fad  Road,  and  fright  the  Traveller. 

M  Can  my  Beloved  bear  to  trace  the  Feet 

•*  Of  her  Rtdeemer  panting  up  the  Hill 

*<  Hard  burden'd  ?  Can  thy  Heart  attend  his  Crofs  ? 

41  Nail'd  to  the  cruel  Wood  he  groans,  he  dies, 

41  For  thee  he  dies.     Beneath  thy  Sins  and  mine 

41  (Horrible  Load  !)   the  finful  Saviour  gioans, 

*f  And  in  fierce  Anguifh  of  his  Soul  expires. 

"  Adoring  Angels  pry  with  bending  Head 

"  Searching  the  deep  Contrivance,  and  admire 

•*  Thit,  infinite  Defign.     Here  Peace  is  made 

"  'Twixt  God   the  Sovereign,  and  the  Rebel  Man  ; 

**  Here  Satan  overthrown  with  all  his  Holts 

4<  In  fecond  Ruin  rages  and  deipairs; 

44  Malice  itfelf  defpairs.     The  Captive  Prey 

41  Long  held  in  Slavery  hopes  a  fweet  Releafe, 

■'  And  AAatris  ruin'd  Offsping  fhall  revive 

44  Thus  ranfom'd  from  the  greedy  Jaws  of  Death. 

The  fair  Difciple  heard  ;  her  Pafiions  move 
Harmonious  to  the  great  Difcourfe,  and  breathe 
Refin'd  Devotion ;  while  new  Smiles  of  Love 
Repay  her  Teacher.     Both  with  bended  Knees 
Read  o'er  the  Covenant  of  Eternal  Life 
Brought  down  to  Men ;  feal'd  by  the  facred  Three 
In  Heav'n  ;  and  feal'd  on  Earth  with  God's  own  Blood. 
Here  they  unite  their  Names  again,  and  fing 
Thofe  peac-eful  Articles.     (Hail,  blett  Co-heirs 
Celeftial !  Ye  fhall  grow  V>  manly  Age, 
And  fpite  of  Earth  and  Hell,  in  feafon  due 
PofTefs  the  fair  Inheritance  above.) 
With  joyous  Admiration  they  furvey 
The  Gofpel  Treaiures  infinite,  unieen 
By  mortal  Eye,  by  mortal  Ear  unheard, 

And 


Sacred ''to  Virtue,  Sec.  169 

And  unconceiv'd  by  Thought  :  Riches  Divine 
And  Honours  with  the  Almighty  Father-GoD 
Pour'd  with  immenfe  Profufion  on  his  Son, 
High  Treasurer  of  Heaven.     The  Son  bellows 
The  Life,  the  Love,  the  Bleffing,  and  the  Joy 
On  Bankrupt  Mortals  who  believe  and  love 
His  Name.     "  Then,  my  Charijfa,  all  is  thine. 
"  And  thine,  my  MIT  10,  the  fair  Saint  replies. 
**  Life,  Death,  the  World  below,  and  Worlds  on  high, 
"  And  Place,  and  Time,  are  ours ;  and  Things  to  comea 
**  And  paft,  and  prefent,  for  our  Intereft  flands 
"  Firm  in  our  myitic  Head,  the  Title  fure. 
"  'Tis  for  our  Health  and  fvveet  Refrefhment,  (while 
5*  We  fojourn  Strangers  here)  the  fruitful  Earth 
*<  Bears  plenteous  ;  and  revolving  Seafons  ft  Hi 
f*  Drefs  her  vafl:  Globe  in  various  Ornament. 
"  For  as  this  chearful  Sun  and  chearful  Light 
p  Diurnal  mine.     This  blue  Expanfe  of  Sky 
Hangs  a  rich  Canopy  above  our  Heads 
Covering  our  Slumbers,  all  with  Harry  Gold 
Inwrought,  when  Night  alternates  her  Return. 
For  us  Time  wears  his  Wings  out :  Nature  keeps 
Her  Wheels  in  Motion  :  and  her  Fabrick  Hands. 
Glories  beyond  our  Ken  of  mortal  Sight 
Are  now  preparing,  and  a  Manfion  fair 
Awaits   us,  where  the  Saints  unbody'd  live. 
Spirits  releas'd  from  Clay,  and  purg'd  from  Sin  5 
Thither  our  Hearts  with  moil  inceffant  Wifh 
Panting  alpire  ;  when  fhall  that  deareft  Hour 
Shine  and  releafe  us  hence,  and  hear  us  high, 
Bear  us  at  once  unfever'd  to  our  better  Home  ? 

/  O  blefl  connubial  State  !  O  happy  Pair, 

Envy'd  by  yet  unfociated  Souls 

Who  feek  their  faithful  Twins  I  Your  Pleafures  rife 

Sweet  as  the  Morn,  advancing  as  the  Day, 

Fervent  as  glorious  Noon,  ferenely  calm 

As  Summer-Evenings.  \  The  vile  Sons  of  Earth 

Groveling  in  Duft  with  all  their  noify  [ars 

Reftlefs,  fhall  interrupt  your  Joys  no  more 

Than  barking  Animals  affright  the  Moon 

Sublime,  and  riding  in  her  Midnight  Waf « 

I  Fritttdflup 


grow,  f 

t  as  they  flow,  > 
livinely  glow.  J 


170         LYRI'CPOEMS,         Book  II. 

Friendfhip  and  Love  mail  undiftinguifh'd  reign 

O'er  all  your  Paffions  with  unrival'd  Sway 

Mutual  and  everiafting  :  Friendfhip  knows 

No  Property  in  Good,  but  all  Things  common 

That  each  poiTefTes,  as  the  Light  or  Air 

Jn  which  we  breathe  and- live  :  There's  not  one  Thought 

Can  lurk  in  clofe  Referve,  no  Barriers  fix'd, 

But  every  PafTage  open  as  the  Day 

To  one  another's  Bresft,  and  inmoft  Mind. 

Thus  by  Communion  your  Delight  fhall  grow, 

Thus  Streams  of  mingled  Blifs  ftvell  higher 

Thus  Angels  mix  their  Flames,  and  more  divinely 

The    Third  PART:    Or, 

The  Account  balanced, 

I. 

SHOULD  Sovereign  Love  before  me  ftand, 
With  all  his  Train  of  Pomp  and  State, 
And   bid  the  daring  Mufe  relate 

His  Comforts  and  his  Cares  ; 
MIT  10,  I  would  not  aik  the  Sand 
P'or  Metaphors  t'  exprefs  their  Weight, 
Nor  borrow  Numbers  from  the  Stars. 
Thy  Care3  and  Comforts,  fovereign  Love, 
Vaitly  cut- weigh  the  Sand  below, 
And   to  a  larger  Audit  grow 

Thar,  all  the  Stars  above. 
Thy  mighty  Lofles  and  thy  Gains 

Are  their  own  mutual  Meafures ; 

Only  the  Man  that  knows  thy  Pains 
Can  reckon  up  thv  Plcafares. 
II. 

Say,  Dxv.cH,  fay,  how  bright  the  Scene, 

Damon  is  half-divincly  blclr, 
Leaning  his  Head  on  his  Florcilo.h.  Brealt 
Without  a  jealous  Thought,  or  bufy  Care  between: 

Then  the  f.veet  PafTions  mix  and  mare ; 

Fhvdla   tclis  thee  all  her  Heart, 
Nor  can  thy  Soul's  rcmotcil  Part 
C<    Ccal  1  Thought  cr  Wife  from  the  beloved  Fair. 

Say, 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  ka  171 

Say,  what  a  Pitch  thy  Pleasures  fly, 
When  Friend  (hip  all-fincere  grows  up  to  Ecftacy 
Nor  Self  contracts  the  Blifs,  nor  Vice  pollutes  the  Joy* 

While  thy  dear  Offspring  round  thee  fit, 
Or  fporting  innocently  at  thy  Feet 
Thy  kindeft  Thoughts  engage  : 

Thofe  little  Images  of  thee, 

What  pretty  Toys  of  Youth  they  be, 
And  growing  Props  of  Age  ! 
III. 
But  fnort  is  earthly  Blifs  !  The  Changing  Wind 

Blows  from  the  flckly  South,  and  brings 
Malignant  Fevers  on  its  fultry  Wings, 
.  Relentiefs  Death,  fits  clofe  behind  : 
Now  gafping  Infants,  and  a  Wife  in  Tears* 

With  piercing  Groans  falutes  his  Ears, 
Thro'  tvtxy  Vein  the  thrilling  Torments  roll  y 

While  Sweet  and  Bitter  are  at  Strife 

In  thofe  dear  Miferies  of  Life, 
Thofe  teudereft  Pieces  of  his  bleeding  Soul. 

The  pleafing  Senfe  of  Love  awhile 
Mixt  with  the  Heart-ake  may,  the  Pain  beguile, 

And  make  a  feeble  Fight  : 
rill  Sorrows  like  a  gloomy  Delage  rife, 

Then  every  fmiling  PafHon  dies, 

And  hope  alone  with  wakeful  Eyes 
Darkling  and  folitary  waits  the  flow-returning  Light, 

Here  then  let  my  Ambition  reft, 
May  I  be  moderately  bleft 
When  I  the  Laws  of  Love  obey : 
Let  but  my  Pleafure  and  my  Pain 
In  equal  Balance  ever  reign, 
Or  mount  by  Turns  and  fink  again, 
^nd  ftiare  ju-ft  Meafures  of  alternate  Sway, 
So  Damon  lives,  and  ne'er  complains  ; 
Scarce  can  we  hope  diviner  Scenes 

On  this  dull  Stage  of  Clay  : 
The  Tribes  beneath  the  Northern  Bear 
Submit  to  Darknefs  half  the  Year* 

Since  half  the  Year  is  Day. 

I  2  0« 


Tjj»  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  U. 

On  the  Death  cf  the  Duke  of  Gloucefcer,  jujl  after 
Mr.  Dryden.      1700. 

An    EPIGRAM. 

T^RTDE  N  is  dead,  DRYDEN  alone  could  fmg 

The  full-grown  Glories  of  a  future  King. 
Now  GLOSTE  R  dies  :  Thus  leffer  Heroes  live 
By  that  immortal  Breath  that  Pcets  give  ; 
And  fcarce  revive  the  Mufe  :    But  WILL  1AM  flands, 
Nor  afks  his  Honours  from  the  Poet's  Hands, 
WILLIAM  fhallfhine  without  a  DRTDEN's  Praife, 
His  Laurels  are  not  grafted  on  the  Bays. 

#  #  #  #  #  mrm  ############## 
An  Epigram  of  Martial  to  Cirinus. 

Sic  tua,  Ciriniy  promas  Epigrammata  vulgo 
r      Ut  ?nccum  pojfis,  &c. 
Infcrib'd  to  Mr.  JOS IAHHORT.    1694. 
Now.  Lord  Bifhop  of  Kilmore  in  Ireland* 

SO  fmooth  your  Numbers,  Friend,  your  Verfe  f@  fweet, 
So  fnarp  the  Jeft,  and  yet  the  Turn  fo  neat, 
That  with  her  Martial  Rome  would  place  Cirine, 
Rome  would,  prefer  your  Senfe  and  Thought  to  mine. 
Yet  maceft  you  decline  the  public  Stage, 
To  fix  your  Friend  alone  amidit  th'  applauding  Agef 
So  Maro  did  ;  the  mighty  Maro  fings 
In  vail  Heroic  Notes  of  vaft  Heroic  Things, 
And  leaves  the  Ode  to  dance  upon  his  Flaccus  Strings. 
He  fcorn'd  to  daunt  the  dear  Horatian  Lyre, 
Tho'  his  brave  Genius  flafrYd  Pindaric  Fire, 
And  at  his  Will  could  filence  all  the  Lyric  Quire. 
So  to  his  Varius  he'  relign'd  the  Praife 
Of  the  proud  Bufkin  and  the  Tragic  Bays, 
When  he  could  Thunder  with  a  loftier  Vein,   - 
And  fing  of  Gods  aad  Heroes  in  a  boldier  Strain. 

A  handfome  Treat,  a  Piece  of  Gold,  or  fo, 
And  Compliments  will  every  Friend  bellow  1 

Rarely 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &c>  173 

Rarely  a  Virgil,  a  Cirine  we  meet, 

Who  lays  his  Laurels  at  inferior  Feet, 

And  yields  the  tendereft  Point  of  Honour,  Wit. 

E  P  I  S  T  O  L  A 
Fratri  fuo  dile&o  R.  W.  I  IV.  S.  P.  D. 
T5URSUM  tuas,  amande  Frater,  accepi  Liter  as,  eodem 
fortafe  momenta,  quo  mete  ad  te  pre-venerunt ;  idemqtce 
qui  te  fcrihentem  vidit  Dies,  meu?n  ad  Epiftolare  munus  eX- 
citavit  Caiamum  ;  non  Inane  eft  inter  nos  Fraternum  Nomeh, 
aniens  enim  Spiritus  non  intiis  animat,  agitque,   iff  Concordes 
in  ambclus  ejficit  mot  us  :   O  utir.am  crefcat  indies,  iff  <vigefcat 
mutua  Cbaritas ;  faxit  Deus,  ut  Amor  fui  ncftra  incendat 
iff  d  fcecet  pettora,  tunc  etenim  iff  alternis  fur<e  Amicitia: 
ftammis  erg  a  nos   inajicem  Divinum  in  modum   ardebimus^ 
Contemplemur  jefum   noftrum,   Coelefte  iliud  iff  adorandum 
Exemplar  Cbaritatis.     Ille  eft. 

QJJ  I  quondam  aeterno  delapfus  ab  ^there  vultus 
Induit  Humanos,  ut  poffet  Corpore  noftras 
(Heu  miferas)  fuiferre  vices  ;  fponforis  obivit 
Mania,  &  in  (s(q  Tabula  maledic~ta  Minacis 
Tranftulit,  et  fceleris  posnas  hominifque  reatum. 

Ecce  jacet  defertus  humi,  di-Fufus  in  herbarn 
Integer,  innocuas  verfas  fua  fidera  Palmas 
Et  placidu'm  attollens  vultum,   nee  ad  cffcula  Pairis 
Amplexus  fclitofve;  Anus  nudatus   amictu 
Sideros,  et  fponte  finam  patefaiius  ad  Iras 
Numinis  armati.     Pater,  hie  infige  *  fagittas, 
"  Kaec,  ait,  iratum  forbebunc  Pedlora  ferrom, 
•f  Abluat  ^Ethereus  morialia  Crimina  Sanguis/' 

Dixit,  &  horrendum  frumuere  tonitrua  Cceli 
Infenfufque  Deus;   (quern  jam  pofuiile  pateriium 
Pvlufa  queri  veilet  nomen,  fed  8c  ipfa  fragores 
Ad  tantos  pevefacta  filet,)  Jam  diifiHt  viither, 
Pandumurque  fores,  ubi  duro  Carcere  regnar, 
Ira,  et  Pcenarum  Thefauros  mille  coercet, 
lade  ruunt  gravidi  vefano  Sulphure  Nimbi, 
Centuplicifque  volant  contorta  volumina  Flammae 

I  3  In 

*  Job  iv.  5. 


174  LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  II 

In  Caput  immeritum;  diro  hie  fab  Pondere  preiTus 

Reftat,  compreflbs  dumque  ardens  explicat  anus 

f  Purpureo  veilcs  tindae  fudore  madefcunt. 

Nee  tameji  infando  Vindex  Regina  labori 

Segnius  incumbit,  fed  1  alios  increpat  ignes 

Acnter,  &  fomno  languentem  fufcitat  J  Enfem  : 

"  Surge,  age,  Divinum  pete  Pe&us,  &  imbue  facro 

««  Flumine  mucronem ;  Vos  hinc,  mea  fpicula,  late 

"  Ferrea  per  to  turn  difpergite  tormina  Cbriflum, 

«<  Immenfum  tollerare  valet;  ad  pondere  Poena; 

H  Suitentanda  hominem  fuiFulciet  Incola  Numek, 

"  Et  tu  facra  Decas  legum,  Violata  Tabella, 

"  Eb>be  yindiaam ;  vafta  fatiabere  csde, 

"  Mortalis  Culpae  penfabit  dedecus  ingens 

"  PermiHus  Deitate  Cruor." 

„     Sic  fata,  immiti  contorquet  Vulnera  dextra 
Dilaniatque  finus  ;  fancli  penetralia  Cordis 
Fanduntur,  f^evis  avidas  Dolor  involat  alis, 
-Asqueaiiqax  Mentem  fcrutator,  &  Ilia  mordetr 
Interea  Servator  *  ovat,  Viftorque  Doloris 
Eminet,  Uluilri  f  perfufus  Membra  Cruore, 
Exultatque  mifer  iieri ;  nam  fortius  fllum 
Urget  Patns  Honos,  &  non  vincenda  voluptas 
Servandi  miferos  Sontes ;  O  nobilis  Ardor 
Pcenarum  !  O  quid  non  Mortalia  Pe&ora  cogis 
Durus  Amor  ?  Quid  non  Cceleftia  ? 

At  fubftdat  Phantafta,  <vanefcant  Imagines  ;  nefcio  quo  mi 
froripwt  amens  Mufa  :  Volui  quatuor  linias  pedibus,  aftrin- 
gere,X3  ecce  !  Humeri  crefcunt  in  immenfum  ;  dumque  conci- 
tato  Gemo  laxavi  fr<enay  <verecr  ne  juvenilis  impetus  Tbeo- 
ligium  laferit,  &f  audax  nimis  Imagination  Heri  adlata  eft 
ad  me  Epiftola  indicans  Matrem  meliufcule  ft  habere,  tice$ 
ignis  febrilis  nm  prorfus  deferuit  Kortale  ejus  DomiciUui.i. 
Plura  <vo!ui,  fedturgidi  fcf  ereftentes  verjus  miner e  plura, 
fcf  coarZarunt  fcriptionis  Limites.  Vale  amice  /rater,  b' 
tnfludto  Pietatis  &  Artis  medico  ftrenuus  decurre. 

Datum  a  Mufaso  meo  Londini  xvto  Kalend.  Febr. 
Anno  Salutis  cidiocxciiu 

Tratris 

f  Luke  xxii.  44.        x  Zecb.  xiii.  7.        *  Col.  ii.  15. 
f  Luc.  xxii.  24. 


I 


Sacred,  to  Virtue,  &c.  175 

Fratris'lL.'W.  olim  navigaturo. 

Sept.  30,  1 69 1. 
F  E  L  X,  petle  profpero 
I  Frater,  Trabe  pinea 
Sulces  JBquora  ccerula 
Pandas  Carbafa  flatibus 
Quae  tuto  reditura  fint* 
Nun  te  monftra  Natantia 
Ponti-  Carnovorae  IncolcS 
Prasdentur  Rate  naufraga. 

Navis,  Tu  tibi  creditum 
Fratrem  dimidium  mei 
Salvum  fer  per  inhofpita 
Ponti  Regna,  per  avios 
Tragus,  &  liquidum  Chaos, 
Nee  te  forbeat  horrid  a 
Syrtis,  nee  Scopulus  minax 
Rurnpat  roboreum  latus. 
Captent  mitia  flamina 
Antennae  ;  &  Zephyri  leves 
Dent  Portum  placidum  tibi. 

Tu,  qui  flumina,  qui  vagos 
Fludtus  Oeeani  regis r 
Et  fevum  Boream  domas. 
Da  fratri  faciles  vias, 
Et  Fratrem  reducem  Cuts. 

Ad  Reverendum  Virum 
D™   JOHJNNEM  PINHQ-RN-E,. 

Fidum  Adolefcentiae  mese  Praeceptofem. 

Pindaric!  Carminis  Specimen.      1694, 

I. 

ET  te,  PINHO  RNI,  Mufa  Trifantha 
Salutat,  ardens  diicipulara  tuam 
Grate  fateri  :  nunc  Athenas, 

Nunc  Latias  per  amcenitates 
Tuto  pererrans  te  recolit  Ducem, 
Te  quondam  teneros  &  Ebraia  per  a^pera  greiTu-s 
Non  dura  duxiiTe  manu. 

Tuo 


176  LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  IL 

Tuo  patefcunt  1  limine  Thefpii 
Campi  atque  ad  arcem  Pieridon  iter : 
En  altus  afmrgens  Hon.erus  ' 
Arma  Deofque  Virofque  mifcens 
Occupat  iEthereum  Farnaffi  culmen  :  Homeri 

Immenfos  flupeo  manes 

Te,  Maro,  duke  canens  fylvas,  te  bella  fonatem 
Ardua,  da  veniam  tenui  veiverare  Camcena  j 
Tuaeque  accipias,  Thebane  Vates, 
Debita  Thura  Lyrae. 
Vcbis,  magna  Trias !  clariflima  Nomina  Temper 
Scrinia  noftra  patent,  &  Pc&ora  noftra  patebunt, 
Quum  mihi  cunque  levum  conceflerit  otia  &  horarrt- 
Divina  Mofis  pagina, 

Flaccus  ad  hanc  Triadcm  ponatur,  at  ipfa  pudendas 
Deponat  Veneres  :  venias  fed  *  purus  &  infons 
Vt  te  cellaudetn,   dum  Joraes  is  mala  lujlra 
•  '•.'.   atusj   Venujine,  canis  1  ideive.     Recife 
!  ;ac  lege  acv.cdant  Satyrae  Juvenalis^  amari 
'1  errores  vitiorum.     At  longe  caecus  abeflet 
Perjlus,  obfcuros  Vates,  nifi  lumina  circum- 
-fuia  forent,  Sphingifque  aenigmata,  Bonde,  fcidifTes. 
Grande  fonans  Seneca?  fulmen,  grandifque  cothurni 
Pompa  Sopboclei  celfo  ponantur  eodem 
Ordine,  &  ambabos  iimul  hos  ampleclar  in  ulnis* 
Tuto,  Poets,  tuto  habitabitis 
Piftos  abacos :  improba  Tinea 
Obiit,  nee  audat  fasva  caftas 
Attingere  Elatta  Camcenas. 
At  tu  renidens  iceda  Epigrammatunt- 
farrago  inertum,  itercoris  impii 
Sentina  fcetens,  Martialhy 

In- Barathrum  relegandus  imum 
Aofuge,  &  hinc  tecum  rapias  Catullum 
Infulse  mollem,  naribus,  auribus 
Ingrata  cadis  carmina,  &  improbi 
Spurcos  Nafonis  Amoies. 
III. 
Nobilis  extrema  gradiens  Qaledonis  ab  ara 
En  BucbanavMi  adeil.     Divini  Pialtis  Imago- 

JeJJtadcc 

*  Horat.  Lib.  I.  Sat.  6. 


Sacred  to  Virtue^  &c.  177 

JtJJjad^e  falveto  ;  potens  feu  Numinis  Iras     , 
Fulminibus  mifcere,  facro  vel  lumiRe  Mentis 
Fugare  nofles,  vel  Citharae  fono 

Sedare  fludtus  Pectoris. 
Tu  mihi  haerebis  comes  ambulant!, 
Tu  Domi  aftabis  focius  Perennis, 
Seu  levi  menfe  fimul  affidere 

Dignabere,  feu  Leclicse. 
Mox  recumbentis  vigilans  ad  aurem 

-  Aureos  fuadebis  in  ire  fomnos 
Sacra  fepitis  fuperinferens  ob- 

livia  curis, 
Stet  juxta  *  Ca/imirusy  huic  nee  parcius  Ignern 
Natura  indulfit  nee  Mufa  armavit  Alumnum 
*  Sarbi<vinm  rudiore  Lyra. 
Quanta  Polonum  levat  aura  Cygnum  ! 
f  Humana  Hnquens  (en  fibi  devii 
Mantes  recedunt)  luxuriantibus 

Spatiatur  in  aere  pennis. 
Seu  tu  forte  virurrt  tollis  ad  sethera, 

-  Cognatofve  Thronos  &  patrium  Polum 

Vifurus  confurgis  ovans,  J 

Vifum  fatigas,  aciemque  fallis, 
Bum  tuum  a  longe  ftupeo  volatum 
O  non  imitabilis  Ales. 

IV. 
Sarbivii  ad  nomen  gelida  incalet 
Mufa,  fimul  totus  fervefcere 
Sentio,  ftellatas  levis  fnduor 
Alas  8c  tollor  in  ahum, 
jam  juga  Zicnis  radens  pede 
Elato  inter  fidera  radens  vertice 
Longe  defpeclo  mortalia,. 
Quam  juvat  altifonis  volitare  per  aethera  pennis, 
Et  ridere  procul  fallacia  Gaudia  fecli 
Terrellae  Grandia  inania, 
Quae  mortale  genus  (heu  male)  deperit, 
O  curas  hominum  miferas  !  Cano, 
Et  miferas  nugas  Diademata  ! 
Ventofae  fortis  Ludibrium. 

En 
*  M.  Cafimirus,  Sarbiewiki  Poeta  infjgni$  Polonis, 
f  Ode  V.  Lib.  a, 


;3         L  r  R  1  C  P  0 )£M  S9       Book  II.  ' 


En  mihi  fubfidunt  terrenae  a  peclore  Faeces, 
Geftit  &  effraenis  divinum  efFtmdere  Carmen 
Mens  afflata  Deo 


■at  vos  Heroes  &  Arma 


Et  procul  efte  Dii,  ludicra  Numina. 
Quid  mihi  cum  veftrae  pondere  Lances, 
Pallas  !  aut  veilris,  Dyonv/e,  Thyrfis  ? 
Et  Clava,  &  Anguis,  &  Leo,  8t  Hercules, 
Et  brutum  tonitru  ficlitii  Patris, 
Abftate  a  carmine  noftro. 
V. 
Te,  Deus  Omnipotens  !  te  noftra  forabit  J  E  SU 
Mufa,  nee  aflueto  coeleftes  Barbiton  auiu 
Tentabit  nunieros.     Vafli  fine  limits  N  urn  en .  &. 
Immenfum  fine  lege  Deum  numeri  fine  lege  ionabunt. 

Sed  Mufam  magna  fdlicentem  deftituit  vigor  ;  Di-vlrroju- 
hare  perjlringilur  oculorum  acier.  En  labsfcit  pennis,  ire- 
mit  artubus,  ruit  deorfum  per  inane  uEtheris,  jacet  <vi3a> 
sbjlupefcity  filet. 

IgnofcaSy  Reuerende  rtf,  vano-  conamini  ;  f ragmen  hoc 
rude  licet  £ff  impolitum  ettftri  boni  ccn/ulas,  &'  gratitudinis 
jam  diu  debit  <z  in  partetn  reponas. 

Voium,  feu  Vita  in  terris  beata. 
Ad  virum  dignifiimum 

JOHJNNEM  HARTOPPIUM,  Bartum. 

tf9Z. 
I. 

TJJRTOPPI  eximio  flemmate  nobilis 
'  Venaque  Ingenii  divite,  fi  roges 

Quem  mea  Mufa  beat, 
Ille  mihi  felix  ter  Sc  amplius, 
Et  fimiles  fuperis  annos  agit 
2>ui  fibi  fufficiens  femper  adefl  fihi. 
Hunc  longe  a  curis  mortalibus 
Inter  agros,  fylvafque  filentes 
Se  Mufifque  fuis  tranquilla  in  pace  fmentein 
Sol  oriens  videt  &  recumbens. 
II. 
Non  fuae  Vulgi  favor  infolentis 
(Plaufus  infani  tumid  us  popelli) 

Mentis 


Sacred  to  Virtue,  &o.  179 

Mentis  ad  facram  penetrabit  arcem, 

Feriat  licet  iEthera  clamor. 
Nee  Gaza  flamraans  divitis  India, 
Nee,  Tage,  veftra  falgor  Arenulse 
Dacent  ab  obfeura  quiete 
Ad  laquear  radian  us  Aula?. 
Ill* 
O  fi  daretur  (lamina  proprii 
Traclare  fuii  pollice  propria, 

Atque  meum  mihi  fiagere  fatum  ; 
Candidus  vita?  color  innoeentis 
Fila  nativo  decoraret  Albo  . 

Non  Tyrid  vitiata  concha. 
Non  aurum,  non  gemma  nitens,  nee  purpura  tel*e 
Intertexta  forent  invidiofa  meae. 
Longe  a,  Triumphis,  &  fonku  Tubs 
Longe  remotos  tranfigerem  dies  : 
Abftate  fafces  (fplendida  Vanitas) 
Et  V03  abftate,  Corona?. 
IV. 
Pro  meo  te&o  Cafa  fit,  falubres 
Captet  Auroras,  procul  Urbis  atro     \ 
Billet  a.  fumo,  fugiatque  longe 

Dura  Phthiiis  mala,  dura  Tuffis. 
Difplicet  JByr/k  &  fremitu  moleflo 
Tmba  Mercantum  ;  gratius  alvear 
Demulcet  aures  murmure,  gratius 
Fojis  falientis  aqua?. 

V. 
Litigiofa  fori  me  terrent  jurgia,,  lenes 
Ad  fylvas  properans  rixofas  execror  artes 
Eminus  in  tuto  a  Linguis— — 

Blandimenta  artis  fimul  a?quus  odi, 
Valete,  Cives,  &  amcena  fraudis 
Verba;  proh  mores  I  &  inane  facri 
Nomen  Amici  1 

VL 
Tuque  quse  noilris  inimica  Muii# 
Felle  facratum  vitias  amorem^ 
Ab/is  sternum,  Diva  libidinia. 
Et  Phsrepr&e  Paer  \  ' 


180  LYRIC    POEM  S9       Book  II. 

Hinc,  hinc,  Cupido,  longius  avola  * 
Nil  mihi  cum  fcedis,  Puer,  ignibus ;, 
^therea  fervent  face  pe&ora, 
Sacra  mihi  Venus  eft  Urania, 
Et  juvenis  Jejpeus  Amor  mihi. 

VII. 
Ccelefte  carmen  (nee  taceat  lyra 
Jeffiea)  laetis  auribus  infonet, 
Nee  Watfianis  e  medullis 

Ulla  dies  rapiet  vel  hora. 
Sacri  Libelii,  Deliciae  meae, 
Et  vos,  Sodales,  Temper  amabiles,. 
Nunc  fimul  adfrtis,  nunc  viciffim, 
Et  fallite  taedia  vitas. 

T     O 

Mrs.    SINGER. 

(Now   Mrs.    ROW  E.) 

On  the  Sight  ofjome  of  her  divine  Poems,  never  Printed^ 

July  19,  I7<?£. 

I. 

V./  N  the  fair  Banks  of  gentle  Thames 
I  tun'd  my  Harp ;  nor  did  celeftial  Themes 
Refufe  to  dance  upon  my  Strings  : 
There  beneath  the  Evening  Sky 
1  fung  my  Cares  afleep,  and  rais'd  my  Wifhes  high 
To  everlafting  Things. 

Sudden  from  Albion's  Weftern  Coaii 

Harmonious  Notes  come  gliding  by, 
The  neighbouring  Shepherds  knew  the  Silver  Sound  ; 
"  'Tis  PHILOMELA'*  Voice,  the  nfghb'ring  Shepherds 

At  once  my  Strings  all  filent  lie*.  .   (cry  5? 

At  once  my  fainting  Mufe  was  loft, 

In  the  fuperior  Sweetnefa  drown'd. 
In  vain  I  bid  my  tuneful  Powers  unite ; 

My  Soul  retir'd,  and  left  my  Tongue, 
I  was  all  Ear,  and  PHILOMELAS  Song. 

Was  all  divine  Delight. 


Sirred  to  Virtus,  Sec,  i8i 

II. 

Now  be  my  Harp  for  ever  dumb, 
My  Mufe  attempt  no  more.     'Twas  long  a^o 

I  bid  adieu  to  mortal  Things, 

To  Grecian  Tales,  and  Wars  of  Rome, 
Twas  long  ago  I  broke  all  but  the  immortal  Strings  $ 
Now  thofe  immortal  Strings   have  no  Employ,. 

Since  a  fair  Angel  dwells  below, 
To  tune  the  Notes  of  Heav'n,  and  propagate  the  Jpf* 

Let  all  my  Powers  wito  Awe  profound 
While   PHIL  O  MEL  J  frogs, 

Attend  the  Rapture  of  the  Sound, 
And  my  Devotion  rife  on  her  Seraphic  Wings*. 


The  End  of  i 


ve  Second 


'EidL 


HO  R  M 


i82  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  III. 


HORjE    LYRICJE. 

BOOK    IIL 
Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  the  De  ad* 

An   EPITAPH    on 

King    WILLIAM    IIL 

Of  Glorious  Memory.. 

Who  died  March  the  8th,    1 70 1  .. 

I. 

,ENEATH  thefe  Honours  of  a  Tomb,. 
Greatness   in  humble  Ruin  lies  : 
(How  Earth  confines  in  narrow  Room 
What  Heroes  leave  beneath  the  Skies !) 
II. 
Preferve,  O  venerable  Pile, 
Inviolate  thy  facred  Trull  ; 
To  thy  cold  Arms  the   BRITISH  Me, 
Weeping,  commits  her  richeil  Dull. 
III.        - 
Ye  gentleft  Minifters  of  Fate» 
Attend  the  Monarch  as  he  lies, 
And  bid  the  fofteft  Slumbers  waft 
With  filktn  Cords  to  bind  hi*  Eyes* 

IV. 
Reft  his  dear  Sword  beneath  his  Head  ; 
Round  him  his  faithful  Arms  fhall  Hand; 
Fix  his  bright  Ensigns   on  his  Bed, 
The  Guards  and  Honours  of  our  Land. 


To  the  Memory,  of  ihe  Dead.  j$L 

V. 

Ye  Siller  Arts  of  Paint  and   Verse* 
Place   ALBION  fainting  by  his  Side, 
Her  Groans  arifing  o'er  the  Hearfe, 
And    BELGIA  linking  when  he  dy'd, 

VI. 
High  o'er  the  Grave  Religion  let 
In  folemn  Gold  ;  pronounce  the  Ground 
Sacred,  to  bar  unhallowed   Feet, 
And  plant  her  Guardian    Virtues  round,. 

VII. 
Fair    Lieerty   in    Sables  drefr, 
Write  his  lov'd   Name  upon   his    Urn, 
WILLIAM.,    the    Scourge  \f  Tyrants   fafa.* 
And  A*we  of  Princes  yet  unborn. 
VIII. 
Sw^et  Peace   his  {acred  Relicks  keep,. 
With  Olives  blooming  round,  her  Head, 
And  ilretch  her  Wings  acrofr  the  Deep 
To  blefs  the  Nations  with  the  Shade. 

IX 
Stand  on  the  Pile,  immortal   Fame, 
Broad  Stars  adorn  thy  brighter!:  Robe, 
Thy  thoufand  Voices  found  his  Name 
In  Silver  Accents  round  the  Globe. 

X. 
Flattery    mall  faint  beneath  the  Sounds 
While  hoary  Truth  infpires  the  Song  ; 
Envy  grow  pale  and  bite  the  Ground, 
And  Slander   gnaw  her  forky  Tongue. 

XI. 
Night   and  the   Grave  remove  your  GIooib  £ 
Darknefs  becomes  the  vulgar^Dead  ; 
But   Glory  bids  the  Royal  Tomb 
Difdain  the  Horrors  of  a  Shade. 

XII. 
Glory   with  all  her  Lamps  mail  burn,. 
And  watch  the  Warrior's  ileeping  Clay, 
Till  the  laft  Trumpet rouze  his  Urn 
To  aid  the  Triumphs  of  the  Day,/ 

3  qm 


1 84  LXRICPOEM  S,      Book  III. 

On  the  fudden  Death  of 

Mrs.    MART    PEACOCK. 

An  Elegiac  Scrng  fcnt  in  a  Letter  of  Condolance  to  Mr* 

N.  P.  Merchant  at  Amflerdam. 

I. 

HARK  !  She  bids  all  her  Friends  adieu  ; 
Some  Angel  calls  her  to  the  Spheres  ; 
Our  Eyes  the  radiant  Saint  purfue 
Thro'  liquid  Telefcopes  of  Tears. 

II. 
Farewel,   bright  Soul,  a  fhort  Farewel, 
Till  we  mall  meet  again  above 
In  the  fweet  Groves  where  Pleafures  dwell, 
And  Trees  of  Life  bear  Fruits  of  Love. 

III. 
There  Glory  fits  on  every  Face, 
There  Friendship  fmiles  in  every  Eye, 
There  (hall  our  Tongues  relate  the  Grace 
That  led  us  homeward  to  the  Sky. 

IV.     - 
O'er  all  the  Names  of  Christ   our  King 
Shall  our  harmonius  Voices  rove, 
Our  Karps  mail  found  from  every  String 
The  Wonders  of  his  bleeding  Love. 

V. 
Come,  Sovereign  Lord,  dear  Saviour  com?; 
Remqlve  thefe  feparating  Days, 
Send  thy  bright  Wheels  to  fetch  us  home  ; 
That  golden  Hour,  how  long  it  flays  ! 

TI. 
How  long  mufl  we  lie  lingring  here, 
While  Saints  around  us  take  their  Flight  ? 
Smiling,  they  quit  this  duiky  Sphere, 
And  mount  the  Hills  of  heavenly  Light. 

VII. 
Sweet  Soul,  we  leave  thee  to  thy  Reft;, 
Enjoy  thy  JESUS  and  thy  God, 
Till  we,  from  Bands  of  Clay  releaft, 
Spring  out  and  climb  the  mining  Road. 

vwr 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Deau.  i§5 

VIII. 

While  the  dear  Dull  Hie  leaves  behind 
Sleeps  in  thy  Bofbm,  facred  Tomb  ! 
Soft  be  her  Bed,  her  Slumbers  kind, 
And  all  her  Dreams  of  Joy  to  eome. 

EPITAPHIU  M  Viri   Vencrabilh 

Dom.  N.    MATHER, 

Carmine  Lapidario   confcribtunu 

M.  S. 

Reverend  i  admodum  Viri 

NATHAN  J  EL  IS    MATHERL 

QJJ  O  D   mori  potuit  hie  fuptus  depofitum  eft, 
Si  quasris,  Hofpes,  Quantus  et  Qualis  fuit, 
Fidas  enarrabit  Lapis. 

Nomen  a.  Familia  duxit 
San<ftoribus  fludiis  &  Evangelic-  devota, 

Et  per  utramque  Angltam  celebri, 
Americanum  fc.  atque  Eur  op  team. 
Et  hinc  quoque  in  fancli  Miniiterii  Spem  eduttua 
Non  fallacem  : 
Et  hum:  utraque  novit  Anglia 
Doctum  &  Docentem. 
Corpore  fuit  procero,   Forma  placide  verenda  ; 
At  fupra  Corpus  &  Formam  fublime  eminuerunt 
Indoles,  Ingenium,  atq;  Eruditio  : 
Supra  hsec  Pietas,  &  (fi  fas  dicere) 

Supra  Pietatem  Modeftia, 
Casteras  enim  Dotes  cbumbravit. 
Quoties  in  Rebus  Divinis  peragendis 
Divinitas  afflatae  mentis  Specimina 

Prseftantiora  edidit, 
Tories  Hominum  fedulus  occuluit 
Ut  folus  confpiceretur   Deus  : 
Voluit  totus  isetere,  nee  potuit  ; 
Heu  quantum  tamen  ftii  nos  lalet ! 
Et  majorem  Laudis  Partem  fepukhrale  Mariner 
Invita  obtrurt  filentio. 
Gratism  JEW  CHRISTI  falutiferam 
Quam   abunde  haulit  ipfe,  aliis  propinavk> 
Puram  ab  hamasa  fajce. 

Yeritatis 


186  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  III 

Veritatis  Evangelical  decus  ingens, 
Et  ingens  Propugnaculum. 
Concionatur  gravis  Afpe&u,  Gellu,  Voce  j 
Cui  nee  aderat  Pompa  Oratoria, 
Nee  deerat ; 
Flofculos  Rhetorices  fupervacaneos  fecit 
Rcrum  dicendarum  Majeftas,  &  Deus  prsfens. 
Hinc  Arma  Militia;  fuss  non  infelicia, 
Hinc  toties  fugatus  Satanas. 
Et  hinc  Vicloris 
Ab  inferorum  Portis  toties  reportata; 
Solers  ille  ferreis  Impiorum  Anirnis  inrigere 

Altum  &  Salutare  Vulnus  : 
Vulneratas  idem  traclare  leniter  folers, 

Et  Medelam  adhibere  magis  falutarem. 
Ex  defaecato  Cordis  Fonte 
Divinis  Eloquiis  affatim  fcatebant  Labia, 

Etiam  in  familiari   Contubernio  ; 
Spirabat  ipfe  undique  Cceleftes  fuavitates, 
Quafi  Oleo  Lsetitiae  femper  recens  delibutus, 
Et  femper  fupra  Socios ; 
Gratumque  dilecliffirrii  fui  JESU  Odorem 
Quaquaversus  &  late  difFudit. 
Dolores  tolerans  fupra  fidem, 
^Erumna^que  heu  quam  afiiduse  I 
Invidlo  Animo,  Viclrice  Patienria 
Varias  Curarum  Moles   pertulit 
Et  in  "Stadio  &".  in  Meta  Vitae : 
Quam  ubi'propinquam  vidit, 
Pferophoria  Sdei  quafi  Curru  a:ato  vc&us 

Prqpere  &  exulrim  attigit 
Natus  ell  in  Agro  Lancajirictif.    20°  Mar//:,    1630. 
Jnter  Nov- Anglos  Thcorogiae  Tirocinia  feci;. 
Paftorali  Munere  diu  Buoiinu  In  Hibcmia  functus,   ■ 
Tandem  (ut  femper)  Providcntiam  fecutus  Ducera, 
Ccettii  fktelium  apud  Londhienfes  prxpofitus  eft, 
Quos  Do&rina  Precibus,   8:  Vita  beavit  : 
Ah  brevi  ! 
Corpore  folutus  260  Juliiy    1697.     i£tat,  67. 
Ecclefiifl  Rfcerorem,  Theologis  Exemplar  reiiquit. 
Probia  Piifque  omnibus 
Infandum  fui  defiderium  : 

JDuih 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  187 

Dam   pulvis  CHRISTO  charus  hie  duke  dormit 
Expeclans  Stellam  matutinam. 

£  0  %  %  %  %  ^  '  *  %  &  *  *  -4  i  i&  %  It  &  *  * '  $ 

To  the  Reverend 

Mr.    JOHN    SHOWER, 
On  the  Death    of  his  Daughter 
Mrs.  ANNE  WARNER. 
Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 
TJ  O  W  great  foever  was  my  Senfe  of your  Lofs,  yet  I  did 
not  think  my f elf  fit  to  offer  any  Lines  of  Comfort  :  your 
own  Meditations  can  furnijh  you    with   many   a    delightful 
Truth  in  the  midfl  of  fo  heavy  Sorrow  ;  for  the  Covenant  of 
Grace  has  Bright  nefs .  enough  in   it  to  gild  the  mojl  gloomy 
Providence ;  and  to   that  fvjeet  Covenant  your  Soul  is   no 
Stranger.     My  own  Thoughts   vjere  much  impreft  with  the 
Ty  dings  of  your  Daughter's  Death  ;  and  thof  1  mate  many  a 
Reflection  on  the  Vanity  of  Mankind  in  its  beft  Efiate,  yet  I 
muft  acknovAedge  that  my  Temper  leads  me  moji  to  the  plea- 
fant  Scenes  of  Heaven,  and  that  future  World  of  Blefednefs : 
When  I  recoiled  the  Memory  of  my  Friends  that  are  deady 
I  frequently  rove  into  the  World  of  Spirits,  and  fear ch  them 
cut  there  :    Thus  I  endeavour  to  trace  Airs.  Warner ;  and 
thefe  Thoughts  crouding  fajl  upon  me,  I  fet  them  down  for 
my  ovjn  Entertainment.     The  Verfe  breaks  off  abruptly ,  be- 
caufe  I  had  no  Defign  to  write- a  finijhed  Elegy  ;  and  be  fide  sy 
when  I  was  fallen  upon  the  dark   Side  of  Death,  I  had  no 
Mind  to  tarry  there.  If  the  Lines!  have  written  be  fo  hap- 
py as  to  entertain  you  a  little  and  divert  your  Grief,  the  Time 
fpent  in  compofing  them  fa  all  not  be  reckoned  among  ?ny  loji 
Hours,  and  the  Review  will  be  more  pleafing  to, 

SIR, 
Decern.  22.  Your  affectionate  humble  Servant, 

1707.  J.  W. 

An  Elegiac  Thought  on  Mrs.  Anne  Warner,  wh$ 
died  of  the  Small-Pox,  Decern,  iS,  1707,  at  One 
of  the  Clock  in  the  Morning  ;  a  few  Days  after  the 
Birth  and  Death  of  her  firji  Child. 

AWAKE  my  Mu'e,  range  the  wide  World  of  Souls* 
And  leek  VERNERJ  fled  ;   With  upward  Aim 
Direct  rhy  Wing  ;  for  me  was  born  from  Heaven, 
Fuhili'd  her  Viiit,  and  return'd  on  high. 

The 
• 


188         LYRIC    POEMS,        Book  III. 

The  Midnight  Watch  of  Angels  that  patrole 
The  Britijh  Sky,   have  notic'd  her  Afcent 
Near  the  Meridian  Scar  ;  purfue  the  Track 
To  the  bright  Confines  of  immortal  Day 
And  Paradife  her  Heme.     Say,   my  Urania, 
(For  nothing- fcapes  thy  Search,   nor  can'rt  thou  mtfi* 
So  fair  a  Spirit)  fay,   beneath  what  Shade 
Of  Amarant,   or   chearfu!   Evcr-gncn 
She  fit?,  recounting  to  her  Kindred-Minds 
Angelic  or  Humane,  h»r  mortal  Toil 
And  Travels  thro'  this  howling   Wildernefs  ; 
By  what  divine  Protections  fhe  efcaj 
Thofe  deadly  Snares  when  Youth  and  Satan  leagu'd 
Jn  Combination  to  aflail  her  Virtue  ; 
(Snares  fet  to  murder  Soul;)   but  Keav'n  fecur'd 
The  Favourite  Nymph,  and  taught  her  Victory. 

Or  does  fhe  feek,  or  has  found  her  Babe 
Amongft  the  i       .it-     at  ion  of  the  Bieft, 
And  clafp'd  it  to  her  i  6alt  to  fetiate  there 
The  young  Maternal  Paffion,  and  abfoi  ie 
The  unfulhJl'd  Embrace  J   Thrice  happy  Child  f 
That  faw  the  Light,  and  turn'd  its  Eyes  afide 
From  our  dim  Regions  to  th'  Eternal  Sun, 
And  led  the  Parent's  Way  to  Glory  1  There 
Thou  art  for  ever  hers,  wirh  Powers  enlarg'd 
For  Love  reciprocal  and  fvveet  Converfe. 

Behold  her  Anceftors  (a  pious  Race) 
Rang'd  in  fair  Order,  at  her  Sight  rejoice 
And  fing  her  Welcome.     She  along  their  Seats 
Gliding  lalutes  them   all  with  Honours  due 
Such  as  are  paid  in  Heaven  :  And  lait  me  finds 
A  Manfton  faihionM  of  diftingulh'd   Light. 
But  vacant  :   This  (with  fure  Prefage  fhe  cries) 
Awaits  my  Father  ;   ivben  will  he  arrive  ? 
How  hng,  alas,  how  long  !  (Then  calls  her  Mate) 
Die,   thou  dear  Partner  of  my  mortal  Cares, 
Die,  and  partake  my  Blifs  ;   we  are  for  ever  One. 

Ah  me  !  where  roves  my  Fancy  !  What  kind  Dieams 
Croud  with  fvveet  Violence  on  my  waking  Mind  1 
Perhaps  lilufions  all  ?  Inform  me,  Mufc, 
Chufcs  fhe  rather  to  retire  apart 

T 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  iSg 

To  recoiled  her  diffipated  Powers, 

And  call  her  Thoughts  her  own  :  lb  lately  freed 

From  Earth's  vain  Scenes,  gay  Vifits,  Gratulations, 

From.  Hymen's  hurrying  and  tumultuous  Joys, 

And  Fears  and  Pangs,  fierce  Pangs  that  wrought  her  Death. 

Tell  me  on  what  fublimer  Theme  (he  dwells 

In  Contemplation,  with  unerring  Clue 

Infinite  Truth  puriuing.     (When,  my  Soul, 

0  when  mail  thy  Releafe  from  cumb'rous  Fle/h 
Pals  the  Great  Seal  of  Heaven  ?  What  happy  Hour 
Shall  give  thy  Thoughts  a  Loofe  to  foar  and  trace 
The   Intellectual  World  ?  Divine  Delight ! 

VE  RNER  A's  lov'd  Employ  !)  Perhaps  fhe  lings 
To  fome  new  gciden  Harp  th'  Almighty  Deeds, 
The  Names,  the  Honours  of  her  Saviour-God, 
His  Crofs,  his  Grave,  his  Victory,  and  his  Crown  : 
Oh  could  I  imitate  th'  exalted  Notes, 
And  mortal  Ears  could  bear  them  !• . 

Or  lies  fhe  now  before  th'  Eternal  Throne 
Proftrate  in  humble  Form,  with  deep  Devotion 
O'erwhelm'd,  and  Self  Abaiement  at  the  Sight 
Of  the  uncover'd  Godhead  Face  to  Face  ? 
Seraphic  Crowns  pay  Homage  at  his  Feet, 
And  Hers  amongil:  them,  not  -of  dimmer  Ore, 
Nor  fet  with  meaner  Gems  :  But  vain  Ambition, 
And  Emulation  vain,  and  fond  Conceit, 
And  Pride  for  ever  banifh'd  flies    the  Place, 
Cunt  Pride,  the  Drefs  of  Hell.     Tell  me,  Urania, 
How  her  Joys  heighten,  and  her  golden  Hours 
Circle  in  Love.     O  fiamp  upon  my  Soul 
Some  blifoful  Image  of  the  fair  Deceas'd 
To  call  my  Pailions  and  my  Eye-s  afide 
From  the  dear  breathlefs  Clay,  dinreifing  Sight ! 

1  look  and  mourn  and  gaze  with  greedy  View 
Of  melancholy  Fondneis  :  Tears  bedewing 
That  Form  lo  late  defir'd,'  fo  late  bciov'd, 
Now  loathfomeand  unlovely.     Bale  Difeafe, 

That  leagu'd  with  Nature's  {harper;  Pains,   and  fpoil'd 
So  fweet  a  Structure  !  The  impoifoning  Taint 
O'erfpreads  the  Building  wrought  with  Skill  divine, 
And  rums  .the  rich  Temple  to  the  Dull ! 

Was 


190  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  IIT. 

Was  this  the  Countenance,  where  the  World  admir'd 
Features  of  Wit  and  Virtue?  This  the  Face^ 
Where  Love  triumph'd  ?  and  Jlcauty  on  thefe  Cheeks, 
As  on  a  Throne,  beneath  her  radiant  Eyes 
Was  feated  to  Advantage  ;  mild,  ferene, 
Reflecting  rofy  Light  ?  So  fits  the  Sun 
(Fair  Eye  of  Keav'n  !)  upon  a  crimfon  Cloud 
Near  the  Horizon,  and  with  gentle  Ray 
Smiles  lovely  round  the  Sky,   till  rifing  Fogs, 
Portending  Nigh*,   with  foul  and  heavy   Wing 
Involve  the  golden  Star,  and  fink  him  down 
jrefl  with  Darknef?. 

On  the  Death  cf  an  Aged  a?;d  Honoured  Relative  Mrs, 
M.  W.  July  ]?,   1693. 

i. 

I  Know  the  Kindred -Mind.     'Tis  (he,  'tis  me  ; 
Among  the  heav'nly  Forms  I  fee 
The  Kindred  Mind  from  flefhly  Bondage  free  ; 
O  how  unlike  the  Thing  was  lately  feen 
Groaning  and  panting  on  the  Bed, 
With  ghaflly  Air,  and  languifh'd  Head, 
Life  on  this  Side,  there   the  Dead 
While  the  delaying  Flefh  lay  (hivering  between. 

Long  -did  the  earthy  Houfe  reftrain 
In  toilfome  Slavery  that  Ethereal  Guelt ; 

Prifon'd  her  round  in  Walls  of  Pain, 
And  twilled  Cramps  and  Aches  with  her  Chain  ; 
Till  by  the  Weight  of  num'rous  Days  oppreil 

The  earthy  Houfe  began  to  reel, 
The  Pillars  trembled,  and   the  Building  fell  ; 
The  Captive  Soul  became  her  own  again  ; 
Tir'd  with  the  Sorrows  and  the  Cares, 

A  tedious  Train  of  fourfcore  Years, 

The  Pris'ner  frnil'd  to  be  releaft, 
She  felt  her  Fetters  loofe,  and  mounted  to  her  Reft. 

III. 
Gaze  on,  my  Soul,  and  let  a  perfect  View 

Paint  her  Idea  all  anew  ; 
Rafe  out   thofe  melancholy  Shapes  of  Woe 
That  hang  around  thy  Memory,  and  becloud  it  fo. 

Come 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead-.  191 

Come  Fancy,  come,  with  Effenccs  renn'd, 
With  youthful  Green,  and  fpotlefs  White  ; 
Deep  be  the  Tincture,  and  the  Colours  bright 
T'  exprefs  the  Besutiea  of  a  naked  Mind. 

Provide  no  Glooms  to  form  a  Shade  ; 
j/Ul  Things  above  of  vary'd  Light  are  made, 
Sfor  can  the  heav'nly  Piece  require  a  mortal  Aid. 
But  if  the  Features  too  divine 
Beyond  the  Power  of  Fancy  mine, 
Conceal  th'  inimitable  Strokes  behind  a  graceful  Shrine. 
IV. 
Defcribe  the  Saint  from  Heed  to  Feet, 
Vfake  all  the  Lines  in  jtift  Proportion  meet; 
But  let  her  Poilure  be 
Filling  a  Chair  of  high  Degree  ; 
Dbferve  how- "near  it  {lands  to  the  Almighty  Seat. 
Paint  the  new  Graces  of  her  Epes ; 
rem  in  her  Looks  let  fprightly  Youth  arife, 
And  Joys  unknown  below  the  Skies. 
Virtue  that  lives  conceal'd  below, 

And  to  the  Breaft  conhn'd, 
Sits  here  triumphant  on  the  Brow, 
And  breaks  with  radiant  Glories  through 

The  Features  of  the  Mind. 
Exprefs  her  Paffion  flill  the  fame, 

But  more  divinely  fweet  ; 
Love  has  an  everlaiting  Flame, 
And  makes  the  Work  complete. 
V. 
The  Painter  Mule   with  glancing  Eye 
Obferve  a  manly  Spirit  nigh*, 

That  Death  had  long  disjoin'd  : 
'*  In  the  fair  Tablet  they  mail  ftand 
"  United  by  a  happier  Band  :" 

le  faid,  and  nVd  her  Sight,  and  drew  the  manly  Mind, 
ecount  the  Years  my  Song,  (a  mournful  Round  1) 

Since 

*  My  Grandfather,.  Mr.  Thomas  Watts  had  fuch  acquain- 
nce  with  the  Mathematicks,  Painting,  Mufick,  and  Poefy, 
:.  as  gave  him  confiderable  Efteem  among  his  Contempo- 
ries.  He  was  Commander  of  a  Ship  of  War  1656,  and  bl- 
owing up  of  the  Ship  rn  the  Dutch  War  he  was  drown'd  in 
5  Youth. 


$92  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  III. 

Since  he  was  feen  on  Earth  no  more  : 
He  fought  in  lower  Seas  and  drewn'd  ; 
But  Victory  and  Peace  he  found 
On  the  iup-erior  Shore. 
;    Theie  now  his  tuneful  Breath  in  facred  Songs 
'""Employs  the  European  and  the  Eca/hm  Tongues. 
Lee  th'  awful  Truncheon  and  the  Flute, 
The  Penc'I  and  the  well-known  Lute, 
Powerful  Numbers,  charming  Wit 
And  every  Art  and  Science  meet,  (Feet. 

And  bring  their  Laurels  to  his  Hand,  or  lay  them  at  his 
VI. 
'Tis  done.     What  Beams  of  Glory  fall 
(Rich  Varnifli  of  immortal  Art) 
To  gild  the  bright  Original  ! 
*Tjs  done.     The  Mufe  has  now  perform'd  her  Part, 
firffig  down  the  Piece,   Urania,   from  above, 
And  let  my  Ho  k  c  u  r   and  piy  Love 
Drefs  it  with  Chains  of  Gold  to  hang  upon  my  Heart. 

A 

FUNERAL      POEM 

On  the  DEATH  of 

THOMAS   GU NSTON,  Efq; 

Prefented  to  the' 

Right  Honourable   the  Lady   A B  N E  Y,  Lad  y- 

Mayoress  of  London. 

July  1 701. 
■    Madam, 

Til  AD  I  been  a  common  Mourner  at  the  Funeral  of  the 
dear  Gentleman  deceafed,  I /ho u Id  have  laboured  after 
more  of  Art  in  the  following  Compojition  to  fupply  the  Defecl 
of  Nature,  and  to  feign  a  Sorrow  ;  but  the  uncommon  Con- 
defcenfon  of  his  Friend/hip  to  me,  the  inward  EJleem  I  pay 
his  Memory,  and  th"e  faf  and  tender  Senfe  I  ha-ve  of  the 
Lofs,  make  all  the  Methods  of  Art  needle/},  whilfi  natural 
Grief  fup plies  more  than  all. 

I  had  refolded  indeed  to  lament  in  Sighs  and  Silence,  and 
frequently  checked  the  too  forward  Mufe  :  hut  the  Importu- 
nity 'was  not  to  be  refjled  -,    long  Lines  of  Sorrow  flowed  in 

upon 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  193 

upc\  me  e'er  I  was  aware,  vjhilfi  I  took  many  a  folitary 
Walk  in  the  Garden  adjoining  to  his  Seat  at  Newington  ; 
nor^could  I  free  my  f elf  from  the  Crowd  of  melancholy  Ideas* 
Your  Ladyjhip  will  find  throughout  the  Poem,  that  the  fair 
and  unfinished  Building  which  he  had jufi  raifed  for  himfelfy 
gave  almijl  all  the  Turns  of  Mourning  to  my  Thoughts  ;  for 
I  purfue  no  other  Topics  of  Elegy  than  what  my  Pajjion  and 
my  Senfes  led  me  to. 

The  Poem  roves,  as  my  Eyes  and  Grief  did,  from  one  Part 
cf  the  Fabrick  to  the  other  :  It  rifes  from  the  Foundation, 
falutes  the  Walls,  the  Doors,  and  the  Windows,  drops  a 
Tear  upon  the  Roof,  and  climbs  the  Turret,  that  pleafant  Re- 
treat, where  I  prcmifed  my  felf  many  fweet  Hours  of  his 
Converfation  ;  there  my  Song  wanders  amongfl  the  delightful 
Subjects. divine  and  moral,  which  ufed  to  entertain  our  happy 
Leifure-,  and  thence  defends  to  the  Fields  and  the  fhady 
Walks,  where  I  fo  often  enjoyed  his  pleafing  Difcourfe  ;  my 
Sorrows  dijfufe  themfelves  there  without  a  Limit :  1  hack 
quite  forgotten  all  Scheme  and  Method  of  Writing,  till  I 
correcl  my  felf,  and  rife  to  the  Turret  again  to  lament  that 
deflate  Seat.  Now  if  the  Critics  laugh  at  the  Folly  of  the 
Mufe  for  taking  too  much  Notice  of  the  Golden  Ball,  let  them 
conjider  that  the  meanejl  Thing  that  belonged  to  fo  valuable  a 
Perfon  fill  gave  fome  frejb  and  doleful  Reflexions  :  And  I 
tranfcribe  Nature  without  Rule,  and  reprefent  Friendjhip  in 
a  mourning  Drefs,  abandoned  to  deepefl  Sorrow,  and  with  a 
Negligence  becoming  Woe  unfeigned. 

Had  I  defigned  a  compleat  Elegy,  Madam,  on  your  deareft 
Brother,  and  intended  it  for  publick  View,  I  ihould  have 
fcllow/ed  the  ufual  Forms  of  ^Poetry,  Jo  far  at  leaf,  as  to 
fpe-.td  fome  Pages  in  the .Characler  and  Praifes  of  the  De- 
ceafed,  and  thence  have  taken  Occafion  to  call  Mankind  ta 
complain  aloud  of  the  univerfal  and  unfpeakable  Lofs  :  Bui 
I  wrote  merely  for  my  felf  as  a  Friend  of  the  Dead,  and 
to  eafe  my  full  Soul  by  breathing  out  my  own  Complaints  ;  1 
knew  his  Character  and  Virtues  fo  well,  that  there  was  no 
need  to  mention  them  while  I  talked  only  with  my  felf',  for 
the  Image  cf  them  was  ever  prefent  with  me,  which  kept  the 
Fain  at  the  Heart  inienfe  and  lively,  and  my  Tears  flowing 
tvith  my  Verfa 

Perhaps  your  Ladyjhip  will  ezpeSi  fome  Divine  Thoughts 
*td  Sacred  Meditations*  mingled  with  &  Subject  fo  flemn 
£  as 


194  L  T  R  I  C    POEMS,      Book  III. 

as  this  is  :  Had  I  formed  a  Deflgn  of  offering  it  to  your 
Hands,  I  bad  competed  a  more  Chriflian  Poem  ;  but  it  was 
Grief  purely  natural  for  a  Death  fo  fur prizing  that  drew  all 
the  Strokes  of  it,  and  therefore  my  Reflections  are  chiefly  of 
a  moral  Strain.  Such  as  it  is,  your  Lady/hip  requires  ra  Copy 
ef  it ;  but  let  it  not  touch  your  Soul  too  tenderly,  nor  renew 
jour  own  Mournings.  Receive  it,  Madam,  as  an  Offering 
cf  Love  and  Tears  at  the  Tomb  of  a  departed  Friend,  and 
Set  it  abide  <v:iih  you  as  a  Witnefs  of  that  affeclionate  Refpecl 
and  Honour  thai  J  bore  him',  all  which  as  your  Lady/hip's 
?nrfl  rightful  Due,  both  by  Merit  and  by  Swcctffon,  is  now, 
humbly  offered,  by, 

Madam, 

Tour  Ladyflnp^s  mojl  Hearty 

and  Obedient  Servant, 

I.  WATTS. 

To  the  dear  Memory  ot  my  honoured  Friend, 

THOMAS    GU  N  S  TO  N,   Etqi 

Woo   died  Nov.   u,   1700,  when  he  had  jujl  fimjhed 
his  Seat  at  Newington. 

OF  blafted  Hopes,  and  of  fhort  withering  Joys, 
Sing,  heavenly  Mufe.     Try  thine  Ethereal  Voice 
In  Funeral  Numbers  and  a  doleful  Song ; 
GUNSTON  the  Juil,  the  Generous  and  the  Young, 
GUNSTON  the  Friend  is  dead.     O  empty  Name 
Of  earthly  Blifs !  'tis  all  an  airy  Dream, 
All  a  vain  Thought !  Our  foaring  Fancies  rife 
On  treacherous  Wings !  and  Hopes  that  touch  the  Skies 
X)rag  but  a  longer  Ruin  thro'  the  downward  Air, 
AnoTplunge  the  falling  Joy  ilill  deeper  in  Defpair. 

•How  did  our  Souls  Hand  flatter'd  and  prepar'd 
To  ihout  him  welcome  to  the  Seat  he  rear'd  ! 
There  the  dear  Man  mould  fee  his  Hopes  complete, 
Smiling,  and  tailing  zv\y  lawful  Sweet 
That  Peace  and  Plenty  brings,  while  numerous  Years 
Circling  delightful  play'd  around  the  Spheres : 
Revoling  Suns  mould  Hill  renew  his  Strength, 
And  draw  the  uncommon  Thread  to  an  unufual  Length, 
But  hally  Fate  thruils  her  dread  Shears  between, 
Cuts  the  young  Life  off,  and  (huts  up  the  Scence. 

Thus 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead,  19^ 

Thus  airy  Pleasure  dances  in  our  Eyes, 

And  fpreads  falfe  Images  in  fair  Difguife, 

T*  allure  our  Souls,  till  juft  witfein  our  Arms 

The  Vifion'dies,  and  all  the  painted  Charms 

Flee  quick  away  from  the  purfuing  Sight, 

Till  they  are  loll  in  Shades,  and  mingle  with  the  Night, 

Mufe,  ftretch  thy  Wings,  and  thy  fad  journey  bend 
To  the  fair   Fa  brick  that  thy  dying  Friend 
Built  namelefs  :  'twill  fuggeft  a  Thoufand  Things 
Mournful  and  foft  as  my  Urania  fings. 

How  did  he  lay  the  deep  Foundations  flrong, 
Marking  the  Bounds,  and  rear  the  Walls  along 
Solid  and  lafting  ;    there  a  numerous  Train 
Of  happy  GUNSTONS  might  in  Pleafure  reign, " 
While  Nations  perifh,  and  long  Ages  run, 
Nations  unborn,  and  Ages  unbegun  : 
Not  Time  itfelf  mould  wafte  the  bleft  Eftate, 
Nor  the  tenth  Race  rebuild  the  ancient  Seat. 
How  Fond  our  Fancies  are  !  The  Founder  dies 
Childlefs ;  his  Sifters  weep  and  clofe  his  Eyes, 
And  wait  upon  his  Hearfe  with  never-ceafmg  Cries, 
Lofty  and  flow  it  moves  to  meet  the  Tomb, 
While  weighty  Sorrow  nocls  on  every  Plume  ; 
A  thoufand  Groans  his  dear  Remains  convey,  > 

To  his  cold  Lodging  in  a  Bed  of  Clay,  > 

His  Country's  facred  Tears  well-watering  all  the  Way.  J 
See  the  dull  Wheels  roll  on  the  fable  Road  ; 
But  no  dear  Son  to  tread  the  mournful  Load, 
And  fondly  kind  drop  his  young  Sorrows  there, 
The  Father's  Urn  bedewing  with  a  filial  Tear. 
O  had  he  left  us  One  behind,   to  play 
Wanton  about  the  painted  Hall,  and  fay, 
This  was  my  Father's,  with  impatient  Joy 
In  my  fond  Arms  I'd  clafp  the  fmiling  Boy, 
And  call  him  my  Young  Friend  :  but  awful  Fate, 
Defign'd  the  mighty  Stroke  as  lafting  as  'twas  great, 

And  muft  this  Building  then,  this  coftly  Frame 
-Stand  here  for  Strangers  ?  Muft  fome  unknown  Name, 
K  z  PoiTelB 


196  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  III. 

PofFefs  thefe  Rooms,  the  Labours  of  my  Friend  ? 
Why  were  thefe  Walls  rais'd  for  this  haplefs  End  ? 
Why  thefe  Apartments  all   adorn'd  fo  gay  ? 
Why  his  rich  Fancy  lavifh'd  thus  away  ; 
Mufe,  view  the  Paintings,  how  the  hovering  Light 
Plays  o'er  the  Colours  in  a  wanton  Flight, 
And  mingled  Shades  wrought  in  by  foft  Degrees, 
Give  a  fweet  Foil  to  all  the  charming  Piece  ; 
But  Night,  eternal  Night,  hangs  black  around 
The  difmal  Chambers  of  the  hollow  Ground, 
And  folid  Shades  unmingled  round  his  Bed 
Stand  hideous  :  Earthy  Fogs  embrace  his  Head, 
And  noifome  Vapours  glide  along  his  Face 
Rifing  perpetual.     Mufe,  forfake  the  Place, 
Flee  the  raw  Damps  of  the  unwholefome  Clay, 
Look  to  his  airy  fpacious  Hall,  and  fay, 
"  How  has  he  chang'd  it  for  a  lonefome  Cave, 
"  Confin'd  and  crowded  in  a  narrow  Grave  1" 

TV  unhappy  Houfe,  looks  defolate  and  mourns". 
And  every  Door  groans  doleful  as  it  turns ; 
The  Pillars  languid) ;   and  each  lofty  Wall 
Stately  in  Grief,  laments  the  Matters  Fall. 
In  Drops  of  briny  Dew ;  the  Fabrick  bears 
His  faint  Refemblance  and  renews  my  Tears. 
Solid  and  fquare  it  rifes  from  below : 
A  noble  Air  without  a  gaudy  Show 
Reigns  thro'  the  Model,  and  adorns  the  Whole, 
Manly  and  plain.     Such  was  the  Builder's  Soul. 

O  how  I  love  to  view  the  ftately  Frame, 
That  dear  Memorial  of  the  belt  lov'd  Name  ! 
Then  could  I  wifh  for  fome  prodigious  Cave 
Vail  as  his  Seat,  and  filent  as  his  Grave, 
Where  the  tall  Shades  flretch  to  the  hideous  Roof, 
Forbid  the  Day,  and  guard  the  Sun  beams  off; 
Thither,  my  willing  Feet,  fhould  ye  be  drawn 
At  the  grey  Twilight,  and  the  early  Dawn. 
There  fweetly  fad  mould  my  foft  Minutes  roll, 
Numbring  the  Sorrows  of  my  drooping  Soul. 
But  thefe  are  airy  Thoughts  \  fubftantial  Grief 
Grows  by  thofe  Qbjr&s  that  fhould  yield  Relief; 

'  Fond 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  if  7 

Fond  of  my  Woes  I  heave  my  Eyes  around, 
My  Grief  from  every  Profped  courts  a  Wound ; 
Views  the  green  Gardens,  views  the  fmiling  Skies, 
Still  my  Heart  finks,  and  ftill  my  Cares  arife ; 
My  wand'rUg  Feet  round  the  fair  Manfion  rove, 
And  there  to  footh  my  Sorrows  I  indulge  my  Love. 

Oft  have  I  laid  the  awful  Calvin  by, 
And  the  fweet  Cowley,  with  impatient  Eye 
To  fee  thofe  Walls,  pay  the  fad  Vifit  there, 
And  drop  the  Tribute  of  2n  hourly  Tear  : 
Still  I  behold  fome  melancholy  Scene, 
With  many  a  penfive  Thought,  and  many  a  Sigh  betwe&u 
Two  Days  ago  we  took  the  Evening  Air, 
I,  and  my  Grief,  and  my  Urania  there  ; 
Say,  my  Urania,  how  the  Weftern  Sun 
Broke  from  black  Clouds,  and  in  full  Glory  fhone 
Gilding  the  Roof,  then  dropt  into  the  Sea, 
And  fudden  Night  devoured  the  fweet  Remains  of  Day  ; 
Thus  the  bright  Youth  juft  rear'd  his  mining  Head 
From  obfcure  Shades  of  Life,  and  funk  among  the  Dead 
The  rifmg  Sun  adorn'd  with  all  his  Light 
Smiles  on  thefe  Wails  again  :  but  endlefs  Night 
Reigns  uncontroul'd  where  the  dear  GUNSTQN  lies, 
He's  fet  for  ever,  and  mull  never  rife. 
Then  why  thefe  Beams  unfeafonable  Star, 
Thefe  lightfome  Smiles  defcending  from  afar, 
To  greet  a  mourning  Houfe  ?  In  vain  the  Day 
Breaks  thro7  the  Windows  with  a  joyful  Ray, 
And  marks  a  mining  Path  along  the  Floors 
Bounding  the  Evening  and  the  Morning  Hours  ; 
In  vain  it  bounds  'em  :  while  vaft  £mptinefs 
And  hollow  Silence  reigns  thro'  all  the  Place, 
Nor  heeds  the  cheerful  Change  of  Nature's  Face-. 
Yet  Nature's  Wheels  will  on  without  Controul,  f 

The  Sun  will  rife,  the  tuneful  Spheres  will  roll  > 

And  the  two  nightly  Bean  walk  round  and  watch  thePole,  J 

See  while  I  fpeak,  high  on  her  fable  Wheel 
Old  Night  advancing  climbs  the  Ealtern  Hill : 
Troops  of  dark  Clouds  prepare  her  Way :   behold, 
How  their  brown  Pinions  edg'd  with  Evening  Gold 

K.  3  Spread 


I 


198  LTRIC    POEMS,     Book  III. 

Spread  fhadowing  o'er  the  Houfe,  and  glide  away 

Slowly  purfuing  the  declining  Day  ; 

O'er  the  broad  Reof  they  fly  their  Circuit  (till, 

Thus  Days  before  they  did,  and  Days  to  come  they  will; 

But  the  black  Cloud  that  fhadows  o'er  his  Eyes, 

Hangs  there  unmoveable,  and  never  flies  : 

Fain  would  I  bid  the  envious  Gloom  be  gone  ; 

Ah  fruitlefs  Wifh  I  how  are  his  Curtains  drawn 

For  a  long  Evening  that  defpairs  the  Dawn  ! 

Mufe,  view  the  Turret  :  juft  beneath  the  Skies 
Xonefome  it  Hands,  and  fixes  my  fad  Eyes, 
As  it  would  a(k  a  Tear.     O  facred  Seat 
Sacred  to  Friendfliip  !  Q  divine  Retreat  ! 
Here  did  I  hope  my  happy  Hours  t'  employ, 
And  fed  before-hand  on  the  promis'd  Joy, 
When  weary  of  the  noify  Town,  my  Friend 
From  mortal  Cares  retiring,  fhould  afcend 
.And  lead  me  thither.     We  alone  wou'd  fit 
Free  and  fecure  of  all 'intruding  Feet : 
Our  Thoughts  mould  ftretch  their  longefl  Wings,  and  rife* 
Nor  bound  their  Soarings  by  the  lower  Skies : 
Our  Tongues  fhould  aim  at  everlafting  Themes, 
And  fpeak  what  Mortals  dare,  of  all  the  Names 
Of  boundlefs  Joys  and  Glories,  Thrones  and  Seats 
Built  high  in  Heaven  for  Souls  :  We'd  trace  the  Streets 
X)f  golden  Pavement,  walk  each  blifsful  Field, 
And  climb  and  tafte  the  Fruits  the  fpicy  Mountains  yield  : 
Then  would  we  fwear  to  keep  the  facred  Road, 
And  walk  right  upwards  to  that  bleft  Abode  ; 
We'd  charge  our  parting  Spirits  there  to  meet, 
There  Hand  in  Hand  approach  th'  Almighty  Seat, 
And  bend  our  Heads  adoring  at  our  Maker's  Feet. 
Thus  fhould  we  mount  on  bold  advent'rouns  Wings 
In  high  Difcourfe,  and  dwell  on  heavenly  Things, 
Whiic  the  pleas'd  Hours  in  fweet  Succeffion  move, 
And  Minutes  meafur'd,  as  they  are  above, 
By  ever-circlings  Joys,  and  ever-fliining  Love. 

Anon  our  Thought  fnou'd  lower  their  lofty  Flight, 

Sink  by  DegreeV  and  take  a  pleafing  Sight, 

'      ,  7  A  large 


} 


-  Tq  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  199 

A  large  round  ProfpecT:  of  the  Spreading  Plain,  1 

The  wealthy  River/ and  his  winding  Train,  > 

The  fmoky'City,  and  the  bufy  Men.-  J 

How  we  mould  fmile  to  fee  degenerate  Worms 

Lavifh  their  Lives  and  fight  for  airy  Forms 

Of  painted  Honour,  Dreams  of  Empty  Sound 

Till  Envy  rife,  and  fnoot  a  fecret  Wound 

At  fwelling  Glory,  ftraight  the  Bubble  breaks, 

And  the  Scenes  vaniih,  as  the  Man  awakes  ; 

Then  the  tall  Titles  infolent  and  proud 

Sink  to  the  Dull,  and  mingle  with  the  Crowd. 

Man  is  a  reftlefs  Thing  :  Still  vain  and  wild, 
Lives  beyond  Sixty,  nor  outgrows  the   Child  : 
His  hurrying  Lulls  ftill  break  the  facred  Bound 
To  feek  new  Pleafures  on  forbidden  Ground, 
And  buy  them  all  too  dear.     Unthinking  Fool, 
For  a  lhort  dying  Joy  to  fell  a  deathlefs  Soul  I 
'Tis  but  a  Grain  of  Sweetnefs  they  can  fow, 
And  reap  the  long  fad  Harveit  of  immortal  Woe-, 

Another  Tribe  toil  in  a  different  Strife, 
And  banifh  all  the  lawful  Sweets  of  Li£s9 
To  fvveat  and  dig  for  Gold,  to  hoard  the  Ore,  1 

Hide  the  dear  Dull  yet  darker  than  before,  V- 

And  never  dare  to  afc  a  Grain  of  all  the  S:ore.  ^ 

Happy  the  Man  that  knows  the  Value  juft 
Of  earthly  Things,  nor  is  enflav'd  to  DuA, 
Tis  a  rich  Gift  the  Skies  but  rarely  fend 
To  Fav'rite  Souls.    Then  happy  thou,  my  Friendr 
For  thou  hadil  learnt  to  manage  and  command 
The  "Wealth  that  Heaven  beitovv'd  with  liberal  Hand  : 
Hence  this  fair  Structure  rofe  ;  and  hence  this  Seat       1 
Made  to  invite  my  not  unwilling  Feet:  ,  f* 

In  vain  'twas  made  !  for  we  mail  never  meet,  J 

And  fmile,  and  love,  and  blefs  each  other  here, 
The  envious  Tomb  forbids  thy  Face  t'  appear, 
Detains  thee,  GUNSTON,  from  my  longing  Eyes, 
And  all  my  Hopes  lie  bury'd,  where  my  GUNSTONlies, 

Come  hitlier,  all  ye  tendered  Souls,  that  know 
The  Heights  of  Fondnefs,  and  the  Depths  of  Woe, 

Young 


"I 


200         L  T  R  I  C  POEMS,      Book  III. 

Young  Mothers,  who  your  darling  Babes  have  found 
Untimely  murder'd  with  a  ghaftly  Wound  ; 
Ye  frighted  Nymphs,  who  on  the  Bridal  Bed 
Clafp'd  in  your  Arms  your  Lovers  cold  and  dead, 
Come  ;  in  the  Pomp  of  all  your  wild  Defpair, 
With  flowing  Eye-lids,  and  diforder'd  Hair, 
Death  in  your  Locks  ;  come,  mingle  Grief  with  me, 
And  drown  your  little  Streams  in  jny  unbounded  Sea, 

You  facrcd  Mourners  of  a  nobler  Mold, 
Born  for  a  Friend,  whofe  dear  Embraces  hold 
Beyond  all  Nature's  Ties  ;  you  that  have  known 
Two  happy  Souk-  made  intimately  One, 
■And  hh  a  parting  Stroke  -,  'Tk  you  muil  tell 
The  Smart,  the  Twinges,  and  the  Racks  I  feel : 
This  Soul  of  mine  that  dreadful  Wound  has  borne, 
OiF  from  its  Side  its  deareft  Half  is  torn, 
The  reft  lies  bleeeding,  and  but  lives  to  mourn. 
Oh  infinite  Diftrefs !  fuch  raging  Grief 
Should  command  Pity,  and  defpair  Relief. 
Paffion,  methinks,  mould  rife  from  all  my  Groans> 
Give  Senfe  to  Rocks,  and  Sympathy  to  Stones, 

Ye  dufky  Woods  and  echoing  Hills  around. 
Repeat  my  Cries  with  a  perpetual  Sound  : 
Be  all  ye  fiow'ry  Vales  with  Thorns  o'ergrown, 
Affift  my  Sorrows,  and  declare  your  own  ; 
Alas  \  Your  Lord  is  dead.     The  humble  Plain 
Muft  ne'er  receive  his  courteous  Feet  again  : 
Mourn  ye  gay  fmilirg  Meadows,  and  be  feen 
In  wintry  Robes,  inftead  of  youthful  Green ; 
And  bid  the  Brook,  that  ftill  runs  warbling  by, 
Move  filent  on,  and  weep  his  ufelefs  Channels  dry. 
Hither  methinks  the  lowing  Herd  mould  come, 
And  mourning  Turtles  murmur  o'er  his  Tomb : 
The  Oak  fhall  wither,  and  the  curling  Vine  1 

Weep  his  young  Life  cut,  while  his  Arms  untwine        > 
Their  amorousFolds,and  mixhisbleedingSoul  with  mine.  J 
Ye  ftately  Elms,  in  your  long  Order  mourn*, 
Strip  off  your  Pride  to  dref*  your  Mailer's  Urn  ; 

Here 

*  There  was  a  long  Row  of  tall  Elms  then  fianding  where  fomt 
Tears  after  the  lowtr  Garden  wus  made. 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  201 

Here  gently  drop  your  Leaves  inftead  of  Tears : 

Ye  Elms,  the  reverend  Growth  of  ancient  Years, 

Stand  tall  and  naked  to  the  bluftering  Rage 

Of  the  mad  Winds;  thus  it  becomes  your  Age 

To  mew  your  Sorrows.     Often  ye  have  feen 

Our  Heads  reclin'd  upon  the  riling  Green  ; 

Beneath  your  facred  Shade  diffus'd  we  lay, 

Here  Friendship  reign'd  with  an  unbounded  Sway  : 

Hither  our  Souls  their  conftant  OfPrings  brought,. 

The  Burthens  of  the  Breaft,  and  Labours  of  the  Thought; 

Our  opening  Bofoms  on  the  confcious  Ground 

Spread  all  the  Sorrows  and  the  Joys  we  found, 

And  mingled  every  Care ;  nor  was  it  known 

Which  of  the  Pains  and  Pleafures  were  our  own  ; 

Then  with  an  equal  Hand  and  honeft  Soul 

We  mare  the  Heap,  yet  both  pofTefs  the  Whole, 

And  all  the  Paffions  there  thro*  both  our  Bofoms  roll 

By  turns  we  comfort,  and  by  turns  complain, 

And  bear  and  eafe  by  turns  the  Sympathy  of  Pain. 


1 


Friendship  !  myfterious  Thing,  what  Magic  Pow'rs 
Support  thy  Sway,  and  charm  thefe  Minds  of  ours  ? 
Bound  to  thy  Foot  we  boaft  our  Birth-right  ftill, 
And  dream  of  Freedom,  when  we've  loft  our  Will^ 
And  chang'd  away  our  Souls  :  At  thy  Command 
We  fnatch  new  Miferies  from  a  foreign  Hand, 
To  call  them  ours ;  and,  thoughtlefs  of  our  Eafe, 
Plague  the  dear  Self  that  we  were  born  to  pleafe. 
Thou  Tyrannefs  of  Minds,  whofe  cruel  Throne 
Heaps  on  poor  Mortals  Sorrows  not  their  own; 
As  though  our  Mother  Nature  could  no  more 
Find  Woes  fufficient  for  each  Son  me  bore, 
Friendfhip  divides  the  Shares,  and  lengthens  out  the  Store. 
Yet  are  we  fond  of  thine  imperious  Reign, 
Proud  of  thy  Slavery,  wanton  in  our  Pain,  (Chain. 

And  chide  the  courteous  Hand  when  Death  diffolves  the 


J 


Virtue,  forgive  the  Thought !  the  raving  Mufe 
Wild  and'defpairing  knows  not  what  fhe  does, 
Grows  mad  in  Grief,  and  in  her  favage  Hours 
Affronts  the  Name  Ihe  Joves  and  ihe  adores, 

m 


2Q2         L  Y.R  I  C    P  0  £  M  S9        Book  III, 

She  is  thy  Vot'refs  too  ;  and  at  thy  Shrine,  } 

O  facred   Friendship,  offer'd  Songs  Divine,  C 

While  GUNSTON  liv'd,  and  both  our  Souls  were  thine,  ) 
Here  to  thefe  Shade*  at  folemn  Hours  we  came, 
To  pay  Devotion  with  a  mutual  Flame, 
Partners  in  Blifs.     Sweet  Luxury  of  the  Mind  ! 
And  fweet  the  Aids  of  Senfe  !  Each  ruder  Wind 
Slept  in  its  Caverns,  while  an  Evening-Breeze 
Fann'd  the  Leaves  gently,  fporting  thro'  the  Trses ;. 
The  Linnet  and  the  Lark  their  Vefpers  Tung, 
And  Clouds  of  Crimfon  o'er  th'  Horizon  hung  ; 
The  flow-declining  Sun  with  floping  Wheels 
Sunk  down  the  golden  Day  behind  the  Weflern  Hills. 

Mourn,  ye  young  Gardens,  ye  unfinifh'd  Gates, 
Ye  green  Inclofures,  and  ye  growing  Sweets 
Lament,  for  ye  our  Midnight  Hours  have  known, 
And  watch'd  us  walking  by  the  fdent  Moon 
In  Conference  divine,  while  heavenly  Fire 
Kindling  our  Breafls  did  all  our  Thoughts  infpire 
With  Joys  almcfl  immortal  then  our  Zeal 
Ulaz'd  and  burnt  high  to  reach  th'  Ethereal  Hill, 
And  Love  refin'd,  like  that  above  the  Poles, 
Threw  both  our  Arms  round  one  another's  Souls- 
In  Rapture  and  Embraces.     Oh  forbear, 
Forbear,  my  Song  !  this  is  too  much  to  hear, 
Too  dreadful  to  repeat ;  fuch  Joys  as  thefe 
Fled  from  the  Eanh  for  ever  !■ 

Oh  for  a  general  Grief!  let  all  Things  mare 
Our  Woes,  that  knew  our  Loves :  The  neighbouring  &* 
Let  it  be  laden  with  immortal  Sighs* 
And  tell  the  Gales,  that  every  Breath  that  flies 
Over  thefe  Fields  mould  murmur  and  complain, 
And  kifs  the  fading  Grafs,  and  propagate  the  Pain. 
Weep  all  ye  Buildings,  and  the  Groves  around 
For  ever  Weep  :  this  is  an  endlefs  Wound, 
Vaft  and  incurable.     Ye  Buildings  knew 
His  Silver  Tongue,  ye  Groves  have  heard  it  too  : 
At  that  dear  Sound  no  more  mall  ye  rejoice, 
And  I  no  more  muil  hear  the  charming  Voice , 

Woe 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  203 

Woe  to  my  drooping  Soul !  that  heavenly  Breath 
That  could  fpeak  Life  lies  now  congeal'd  in  Death  ; 
While  on  his  folded  Lips  all  cold  and  pale 
Eternal  Chains  and  heavy  Silence  dwell. 

Yet  my  fond  Hope  would  hear  him  fpeak  again, 
Once  more  at  leafl,  one  gentle  Word,  and  then 
GUNSTON  aloud  I  call :  In  vain  I  cry 
GUNSTON  aloud  ;  for  he  mufl  ne'er  reply. 
In  vain  I  mourn,  and  drop  thefe  Funeral  Tears, 
Death  and  the  Grave  have  neither  Eyes  nor  Ears  : 
Wandring  I  tune  my  Sorrows  to  the  Groves, 
And  vent  my  fwelling  Griefs,  and  tell  theWinds  our  Loves  j 
While  the  dear  Youth  fleeps  fail,  and  hears  them  not  i 
He  hath  forgot  me :  In  the  lonefome  Vault 
Mindlefs  of  WATTS  and  Friendfhip,  cold  he  lies, 
Deaf  and  unthinking  Clay.— . 

But  whither  am  I  led  ?  This  artlefs  Grief 
Hurries  the  Mufe  on,  obilinate  and  deaf 
To  all  the  nicer  Rules,  and  bears  her  down 
From  the  tail  Fabrick  to  the  neighbouring  Ground  : 
The  pleailng  Hours,  the  happy  Moments  pall 
In  thefe  fweet  Fields  reviving  on  my  Taile 
Snatch  me  away  reMlefs  with  impetuous  Hafle. 
Spread  thy  ftrong  Pinions  once  again,  my  Song, 
And  reach  the  Turret  thou  hall  left,  fo  long  : 
O'er  the  wide  Roof  its  lofty  Head  it  rears, 
Long  waiting  our  Ccnverfe  ;  but  only  hears 
The  noify  Tumults  of  the  Realms  on  high  ; 
The  Winds  falute  it  whittling  as  they  fly, 
Or  jarring  round  the  Windows :  rattling  Showers 
Lafh  the  fair  Sides ;  above  loud  Thunder  roars ; 
But  Hill  the  Mailer  fleeps ;  nor  hears  the  Voice 
Of  facred  Friend ihip,  nor  the  Tempeft's  Noife  : 
An  Iron  Slumber  fits  on  every  Seme, 
In  vain  the  heavenly  Thunders  drive  to  roufe  it  thence, 

One  Labour  more,  my  Mufe,  the  golden  Sphere 
Seems  to  demand  :  See  thro'  the  dufky  Air 
Downward  it  mines  upon  the  rifmg  Moon  j 
And,  as  ihe  labours  up  to  reach  her  Noon, 


-I 


204  LTRICPOEMSy      Book  III. 

Purfues  her  Orb  with  repercuflive  Light, 

And  ftreaming  Gold  repays  the  paler  Beams  of  Night : 

But  not  one  Ray  can  reach  the  darkfome  Grave, 

Or  pierce  the  folid  Gloom  that  fills  the  Cave 

Where  GUNSTON  dwells  in  Death.     Behold  it  flames 

Like  fome  new  Meteor  with  diffufive  Beams 

Thro*  the  Mid-heaven,  and  overcomes  the  Stars ; 

««  So  mines  thy  GUNSTON 's  Soul  above  the  Spheres, 

Raphael  replies,  and  wipes  away  my  Tears. 

,c  We  faw  the  Flefh  fink  down  with  doling  Eye 

,{  We  heard  thy  Grief  ikriek  out,  He  dies,  He  die^ 

"  Miflaken  Grief  1  to  call  the  Flefh  the  Friend  \ 

*'  On  our  fair  Wings  did  the  bright  Youth  afcend, 

■'  All  Heav'n  embrac'dhim  with  immortal  Love, 

<c  And  fiing  his  Welcome  to.  the  Courts  above. 

*'  Gentle  Ithuriel  led  him  round  the  Skies, 

"'  The  Buildings  {truck  him  with  immenfe  Surprife* 

"  The  Spires  all  radiant,  and  the  Manfions  bright, 

M  The  Roof  high-vaulted  with  Ethereal  Light  : 

*'  Beauty  and  Strength  on  the  tall  Bulwarks  fat 

**  In  heavenly  Diamond  ;  and  for  every  Gate 

"  On  Golden  Hinges  a  broad  Ruby  turns, 

"  Guards  off  the  Foe^  and  as  it  moves  it  burns ;, 

*'  Millions  of  Glories  reign  through  every  part ; 

**  Infinite  Power  and  uncreated  Art 

'•  Stand  here  difplay'd,  and  to  the  Stranger  (how 

M  How  it  out-fhines  the  nobleft  Seats  below. 

"  The  Stranger  fed  his  gazing  Pow'rs  awhile 

*«  Tranfported  :  Then,  with  a  regardlefs  Smile, 

*'  Glanc'd  his  Eye  downward  thro'  the  Cryftal  Floor,. 

"  And  tock  eternal  Leave  of  what  he  built  before." 


Now,  fair  Urania,  leave  the  doleful  Strain  ; 
Raphael  commands  :   AiTume  thy  Joys  again. 
In  everlarling  Numbers  fing,  and  fay, 
"  GUNSTON  has  mov'd  his  Dwelling  to  the  Realms 
of  Day  ;  (Groans  away." 

«•  GUNS  TO  N  the  Frkad  lives  full  :  And  give  thy 


1 


An 


Tq  the  Memory  cf  the  Dead.  205 

An  ELEGY  on 

Mr.    THOMAS    GOUGE, 

T  O 

Mr.  ARTHUR    S  HAL  LET,  Mercht. 

Worthy  Sir, 
CTHE  Subject  of  the  following  Elegy  was  high  in  your 
EJieem,  and  enjoyed  a  large  Share  of  your  Ajfeclions. 
Scarce  does  his  Memory  need  the  AJpftance  cf  the  Mufe  to 
make  it  perpetual ;  but  when  Jke  can  at  once  pay  her  Honours 
to  the  'venerable  Dead,  and  by  this  Addrefs  acknowledge  the 
Favours  Jhe  has  received  from  the  Living,  'tis  a  double 
Pkafure  to>  SIR, 

Your  obliged  Humble  Servant, 

/.    WATTS, 

To  the  Memory  of  the 

Revd.  Mr.    THOMAS    GOUGE, 

Who  died  Jan.  8th,   if-*-*-. 

I. 

YE  Virgin  Souls,  whofe  fvveet  Complaint    PfaL  137. 
Could  teach  Euphrates  not  to  flow,  Lament,  i. 

Could  Sion's  Ruin  fo  divinely  paint.  2,  3. 

Array'4  in  Beauty  and  in  Woe  : 

Awake,  ye  Virgin  Souls  to  mourn, 
And  with  your  tuneful  Sorrows  drefs  a  Prophets  Urn. 

Oh  could  my  Lips  or  flowing  Eyes 

But  imitate  fuch  charming  Grief, 

Td  teach  the  Seas,  and  teach  the  Skies 

Wailings,   and  Sobs,  and  Sympathies, 

Nor  fhould  the  Stones  or  Rocks  be  deaf; 

Rocks  mould  have  Eyes,  and  Stones  have  Ears 
While  GQUGE's  Death  is  mourn'd  in  Melody  and  Tears. 
II. 

Heav'n  was  impatient  of  our  Crimes, 

And  fent  his  Minifter  of  Death 


ic6  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  III* 

To  fcourge  the  bold  Rebellion  of  the  Times, 
And  to  demand  our  Prophet's  Breath  ; 
He  came  commifTion'd  for  the  Fates 
Of  awful  MEAD>  and  charming  BATES ; 
There  he  effay'd  the  Vengeance  rirft, 
Then  took  a  difmal  Aim,  and  broaght  great  GOUGE  to 
Dull. 

III. 
Great  GOUGE  to  Duft  !  how  doleful  is  the  Sound  ! 
How  vaft  the  Stroke  is  !  and  how  wide  the  Wound  I 

Oh  painful  Stroke  !  difixeffing  Death  ! 
A  Wound  unmeafci-pbly  wide 
No  vulgar  mortal  dy'd 
When  he  refign'd  his  Breath. 
The  Mule  that  mourns  a  Nation's  Fall,. 
Should  wait  at  GOUGE's  Funeral, 
Should  mingle  Majefty  and  Groans, 
Such  as  die  iings  to  finking  Thrones, 
And  in  deep  founding  Numbers  tell, 
How  Sion  trembled,  when  this  Pillar  fell- 
Sion  grows  weak,  and  England  poor, 
Nature  her  felf  with  all  her  Store, 
Can  furnifh  fuch  a  Pomp  for  Death  no  more,. 

IV. 
The  Reverend  Man  let  all  Things  mourn  5-, 
Sure  he  was  fome  ^Ethereal  Mind, 
Fated  in  Flefti.to  be  confin'd, 
And  order'd  to  be  born. 
His  Soul  was  of  th'  Angelic  Frame, 
The  fame  Ingredients,  and  the  Mold  the  fame-. 
When  the  Creator  makes  a  Minifter  of  Flarfte, 

He  was  all  form'd  of  heav'nly  Things, 
Mortals  believe  what  my  Urania  iings, 
For  me  has  feen  him  rife  upon  his  flamy  Wings, 
V. 
How  would  he  mount,  how  would  he  fly 
Up  thro'  the  Ocean  of  the  Sky, 

To*v'rd  the  Celeftial  Coaft  ! 
With  what  amazing  Swiftnefs  foar 
Till  Earth's  dark  Ball  was  feen  no  more, 
And  all  its  Mountains  loll ! 
Scsrce  could  the  Mufe  purfue  him  with  her  Sight : 

r  But 


To  the  Memory  of  the  "Dead,  207 

Bur,  Angels  ye  can  tell, 
For  oft  yoa  meet  his  wondrous  Flight, 

And  knew  the  Stranger  well ; 
Say,  how,  he  paft  the  radiant  Spheres 
And  vifited  your  happy  Seats, 
And  trac'd  the  well-known  1  timings  of  the  golden  Streets, 
And  walk'd  kmang  the  Stars. 
VI. 
Tell  how  he  climbM  the  Everlafrmg  Hills 

Surveying  all  the  Realms  above, 
Borne  on  a  iircn^-wing'd  Faith,  and  on  the  fiery  Wheels 
Of  an  immortal  Love. 
'Twas  there  he  cook  a  glorious  Sight 
Of  the  Inheritance  of  Saints  in  Light, 
And  read  their  Title  in  their  Saviour's  Right. 
How  oft  the  humble  Scholar  came, 
And  to  your  Songs  he  rais'd  his   Ears 
To  learn  the  unutterable  Name, 
To  view  th'  Eternal  Bsfe  that  bears, 

The  new  Creation's  Frame. 
The  Countenance  of  God  he  faw, 
Full  of  Mercy  ;  full  of  Awe, 
The  Glories  of  his  Power,  and  Glories  of  his  Grace  ; 
There  he  beheld  the  wond'rous  Springs 

Of  thofe  Celeftial  facred  Things, 
The  peaceful  Gofcel  and  the  fiery  Law 

In  that  Majeitick  Face. 
That  Face  did  all  his  gazing  Powers  employ, 
With  moft  profound  Abafement  and  exalted  Joy3 
The  Rolls  of  Fate  were  half  unfeal'd, 

He  flood  adoring  by; 
The  Volumes  open'd  to  his  Eye, 
And  fweet  Intelligence  he  held 
With  all  his  mining  Kindred  of  the  Sky. 
VII. 
Ye  Seraphs  that  furround  the  Throne, 
Tell  how  his  Name  was  thro'  the  Palace,  known, 
How  warm  his  Zeal  was,  and  how  like  your  own  ; 
Speak  it  aloud,  let  half  the  Nation  hear, 
And  bold  Blafphemers  fhrink  and  fear  *  : 

Impudent 

*  Tbo*  he  was  fo  great  and  L         .  ifom  he  did  not  efcape 
Cenjurst 


2o8         LTRICPOE  MS,        BookUL 

Impudent  Tongues !    to  blaft  a  Prophet's  Name  I 
The  Pbifon  fure  was  fetch'd  from  HelJ, 

Where  the  old  Elaiphemers  dwell, 
To  taint  the  purer!  Dufl," and  blot  the  white!*  Fame! 
impudent  Tongues  !  You  fhould  be  darted  thro', 
Nail'd  to  your  own  black  Mouths,  and  lie 
Ufelefs  and  dead  till  Slander  die, 
Till  Slander  die  with  you,. 
VI I L 
"  We  law  him,  faid  th'  Ethereal  Throng* 
"  We  faw  his  warm  Devotions  rife, 
"  We  heard  the  Fervour  of  his  Cries, 
*c  And  mix'd  his  Praiies  with  our  Song  : 
"  We  knew  the  fecret  Flights  of  his  retiring  Mours.,. 

"  Nightly  he  waited  his  inward  Powers, 
"  Young  1/rad  rofe  to  wreitte  with  his  God, 
"  And  with  unconquer'd  Force  fcai'd  the  celeflial  Towers* 
**  To  reach  the  BlelTiDg  down  for  thofe  that  fought  liis. 
Blood. 
"  Oft  we  beheld  the  Thunderer**  Hand 
"  Kais'd  high  to  crufh  the  factious  Foe  ; 
"  As  oft  we  faw  the  rolling  Vengeance  Hand 

"  Doubtful  t1  obey  the  dread  Command, 
"  While  his  afcending  Pray'r  upheld  the  falling  Blow." 

Draw  the  paft  Scenes  of  thy  Delight, 
My  Mufe,  and  bring  the  wond'rous  Man  to  fight. 

Place  him  furrounded  as  he  flood 

With  pious  Crowds,  while  from  his  Tongue 
A  Stream  of  Harmony  ran  foft  along, 
And  every  Year  drank  in  the  flowing  Good  : 

Softly  it  ran  its  filver  Way, 
Till  warm  Devotion  rais'd  the  Current  flrong  : 
Then  fervid  Zeal  on  the  fueet  Deluge  rode, 

Life,  Love  and  Glory,  Grace  and  Joy, 
Divinely  rolPd  prcmifcuous  on  the  Torrent-Flood, 
And  bore  our  raptur'd  Senfe  away,  and  Thoughts  ancf 
Souls  to  God. 

O  might  we  dwell  for  ever  there' ! 
No  more  return  to  breathe  this  grcfler  Air, 
This  Atmofphere  of  Sin,  Calamity  and  Cart. 

X.  But 


To  the  Memory  of  the  Dead.  209 

X. 

But  heavenly  Scenes  foon  leave  the  Sight 

While  we  belong  to  Clay, 
Paifions  of  Terror  and  Delight, 

Demand  alternate  Sway^ 

Behold  the  Man  whofe  awful  Voice 

Could  well  proclaim  the  fiery  Law, 

Kindle  the  Flames  that  Mofes  faw, 

And  fwell  the  Trumpet's  warlike  Noife. 
He  (lands  the  Herald  of  the  threatning  Skies, 
Lo,  on  his  reverend  Brow  the  Frowns  divinely  rife, 
All  Sinai's  Thunder  on  his  Tongue,  and  Lightning  in  kid 
Eyes, 

Round  the  high  Hoof  the  Curfes  flew 

Diftinguifhing  each  guilty  Head, 
Far  from  th'  unequal  War  the  Atheift  fled, 

His  kindled  Arrows  dill  purfue, 

His  Arrows  ftrike  the  Atheift  thro', 
And  o'er  his  inmoft  Powers  a  fhuddering  Horror  fpredC* 
The  Marble  lieart  groans  with  an  inward  Wound  : 

Blafpheming  Souls  of  harden'd  Steel 
Shriek  out  amaz'd  at  the  new  Pangs  they  feel. 

And  dread  the  Echoes  of  the  Sound. 

The  lofty  Wretch  arm'd  and  array'd 
Jn  gaudy  Pride  finks  down  his  impious  Head, 
Plunges  in  dark  Defpair  and  mingles  with  the  Dead. 
XI. 

Now,  Mufe,  afTume  a  fofter  Strain, 

Now  footh  the  Sinner's  raging  Smart, 

Borrow  of  GOUGE  the  wond'rous  Art 
To  calm  the  furging  Confcience,  and  aflwage  the  Pam  j 

He  from  a  bleeding  God  derives 

life  for  the  Souls  that  Guilt  had  flain, 

And  ftrait  the  dying  Rebel  lives, 
The  dead  ariie  again  ; 

The  opening  Skies  almofi:  obey 

His  powerful  Song;  a  heavenly  Ray 
Awakes  Defpair  to  Light,  and  Iheds  a  chearful  Day, 

His  wondrous  Voice  rolls  back  the  Spheres, 

Recalls  the  Scences  of  antient  Years, 
To  make  the  Saviour  known  ; 

Sweetly  the  flying  Charmer  roves 

Thro' 


210  LYRIC    POEMS,      Book  III. 

Thro'  all  his  Labours  and  his  Loves, 
The  Anguifh  of  his  Crofs,  and  Triumphs  of  his  Throne. 
XII. 
Come,  he  invites  our  Feet  to  try 
The  fteep  Afcent  of  Calvary, 
And  fets  the  fatal  Tree  before  our  Eye : 
See  here  Celeftial  Sorrow  reigns ; 
Rude  Nails  and  ragged  Thorns  lay  by, 
Ting'd  with  the  Crimfon  of  Redeeming  Veins* 
In  wondrous  Words  he  fung  the  vital  Flood 
Where  all  our  Sins  were  drown'd, 
Words  fit  to  heal  and  fit  to  wound,. 
Sharp  as  the  Spear,  and  balmy  as  the  Blood- 
In  his  Difcourfe  divine 
Afrefh  the  pcrple  Fountain  flow'd ; 
Our  falling  Tears  kept  fympathetic  Time, 
And  trickled  to  the  Ground, 
While  every  Accent  gave  a  doleful  Sound, 
Sad  as  the  breaking  Heart-ftrings  of  th'  expiring  Goe, 

Down  to  the  Manfions  of  the  Dead, 
With  trembling  Joy  our  Souls  are  led, 

The  Captives  of  his  Tongue ; 
There  the  dear  Prince  of  Light  reclines  his  Head' 

Darknefs  and  Shades  among. 
With  pleafmg  Horror  we  furvcy 

The  Caverns  of  the  Tomb, 
Where  the  belov'd  Redeemer  lay, 

And  ihed  a  fweet  Perfume, 
Hark,  the  old  Earthquake  roars  again 
In  GOUGE's  Voice,  and  breaks  the  Chain 
Of  heavy  Death,  and  rends  the  Tombs : 
The  Rifing  God  !  he  comes,  he  comes, 
With  Throngs  of  waking  Saints,  a  long  triumphing  Train. 

See  the  bright  Squadrons  of  the  Sky, 
Downward  on  Wings  of  Joy  and  Hafte  they  fly, 
Meet  their  returning  Sovereign,  and  attend  him  high. 
A  mining  Car  the  Conqueror  fills, 
Form'd  of  a  golden  Cloud  ; 
Slowly  the  Pomp  moves  up  the  azure  Hills, 
Old  Satan  foams  and  yells  aloud, 

And 


To  the  Memory  ef  the  Dead,  2ii 

And  gnaws  th*  eternal  Brafs  that  binds  him  to  the  Wheels, 
The  opening  Gates  of  Blifs  receive  their  King, 

The  Father-God  fmiles  on  his  Son, 
Pays  him  the  Honours  he  has  won, 
The  lofty  Thrones  adore,  and  little  Cherubs  ring. 

Behold  him  on  his  native  Throne, 

Glory  fits  faft  upon  his  Head  ; 

Drefs'd  in  new  "Light,  and  beamy  Robes, 
His  Hand  rolls  on  the  Seafons,  and  the  mining  Globes, 
And  fways  the  living  Worlds,  and, Regions  of  the  Dead, 

XV. 
GCUGE  was  his  Envoy  to  the  Realm  below, 
Vail  was  his  Truff,  and  great  his  Skill, 

Bright  the  Credentials  he  could  mow, 
And  Thoufands  own'd  the  Seal, 

His  hallow'd  Lips  could  well  impart 

The  Grace,   the  Fromife,  and  Command  : 
He  knew  the  Pity  of  ImmanueVs  Heart, 
And  Terrors  of  JEEQVAWs  Hand, 

How  did  our  Souls  Hart  out  to  hear 

The  Embaffies  of  Love  he  bare, 

While  every  Ear  in  Rapture  hung 
Upon  the  charming  Wonders  of  his  Tongue* 
Life's  bufy  Cares  a  facred  Silence  bound, 

Attention  ilood  with  all  her  Powers, 

With  fixed  Eyes  and  Awe  profound, 

Chain'd  to  the  Pleafure  of  the  Sound, 
Nor  knew  the  flying  Hours. 
XVI. 

But  O  my  Everlafling  Grief! 
Heav'n  has  recall'd  his  Envoy  from  our  Eyes^ 

Hence  Deluges  of  Sorrow  rife, 

Nor  hope  th'  impombie  Relief. 

Ye  Remnanis  of  the  facred  Tribe 

Who  feel  the  Lofs,  come  ihare  the  Smart? 
And  mix  your  Groans  with  mine  : 

Where  is  the  Tongue  that  can  defcribe 

Infinite  Things  with  equal  Art, 
Or  Language  fo  divine  ? 

Our  Paffions  want  the  heavenly  Flame, 
Almighty  Love  breaths  faintly  in  our  Songs, 
And  awful  Threatnings  Janguifh  on  our  Tongues ; 

HOWE, 


212        LYRIC    POEMS,       Book  III. 

HOWE  is  a  great  but  fingle  Name  : 
Amidft  the  Crowd  he  ftands  alone  ; 
Stands  yet,  but  with  his  ftarry  Pinions  on, 
Dreft  for  the  Flight,  and  ready  to  be  gone, 

Eternal  God,  command  his  Stay, 

Stretch  the  dear  Months  of  his  Delay  i 
#  we  could  wifh  his  Age  were  one  immortal  Day  ! 

But  when  the  flaming  Chariot's  come, 
And  mining  Guards,  t*  attend  thy  Prophet  home, 

Amidft  a  thoufand  weeping  Eyes, 
Send  an  EHJba  down,  a  Soul  of  equal  Size 
pr  burn  this  worthlefs  Globe,  and  take  us  to  the  Skies. 


FINIS. 


T    A    B    L  E 

O  F    T  H  E 

POEMS 

Contained  in  the 

FIRST      BOOK. 

TyOrfiipphg  with  Fear,  Page   I 

AJking  Leave  to  fng,  2 

Divine  Judgments,  3 

Earth  and  Heaven,  5 

Felicity  above,  6 

Gob's  Dominion  and  Decrees,  7 

Self  Confecration,  8 

The  Creator  and  Creatures,  9 

The  Nativity  c/*Christ,  lo 

God  glorious  and  Sinners  faved,  \  \ 

The  bumble  Enquiry,  A  French  Sonnet  imitated,  1 2 

The  Penitent  par doned9  13 

A  Hymn  of  Praife  for  three  great  Salvations,  14 

The  Incomprehenfble,  17 

Death  and  Eternity,  ibid. 

A  Sight  of  Henven  in  Sichnefs,  jy 

The  univerfal  Hallelujah,  Pfal,  cxlviil.  20 

The  Atheifs  Mijlake,  22 

The  Law  given  at  Sinai,  23 

Remember  thy  Creator,  27 

Sun,  Moon  and  Stars,  praife  ye  the  Lord,  28 

The  --welcome  Meffenger,  2Q 

Sincere  Praife,  go 

True  Learning,  g2 

True  Wifdom,  n<* 

Song  to   Creating   Wifdom,  gr 

God's  abfolute  Dominion,  *>j 

Condefcending  Grace,  go 

The  Infinite^  40 

Confejfiai 


A  Table. 

Confefjion  and  Pardon,  ^ 

Young  Men  and  Maidens,  &c.  praife  ye  the  Lord,  43 

Flying  Fowl,  Sec.  praife  ye  the  Lord,  44 

The  Comparifon  and  Complaint,  ac 

God  fupreme  and  felf-fujficent,  46 

Jesus   the  only  Saviour,  *j 

Looking  upward,  ajq 

Christ   dying,  rijing,  and  reigning,  ibid. 

The   God   of  Thunder,  r o 

The  Day  of  Judgment,  in  Englifh  Sapphic,  r  1 

The  Seng  of  Angels  above,  cz 

Fire,   Air,  Earth  and  Sea,  praife  ye  Lord,  r  - 

The  Farewd,  56 

G^  only  known  to  himfef,  ry 

Pardon   and  .Sanfiif  cation,  58 

Sovereignty  and  Grace,  en 

The  Law  and  Ge/pel,  60 

Seeking  a  Divine  Calm,  Sec.  Cafimir.  B.  III.  Od.  28.     61 

Happy  Frailty,             ^  ibid. 

Launching  into  Eternity,  6$ 

A  Prof  put  of  the  Refurreftion,  64 

Ad  Dominum  Noftrum  Jesum  Christum:   Oda,       65 

Sui  ipfius  Jncrepatio ;  Epigramma,  6j 

Excitatio  Cordis  Ccelum  verfus,  68 

Breathing  towards  Heaven, ,  Cafimir.  B.  I.  Od.  19.      ibid. 

In  Sanclum  Ardalionem,  Sec.  Cafim.  Epigr.  100.  6g 

On  the  Proteftant   Church  at  Montpelier  demolijhed,  Two 

Latin  Epigrams  englijhed,  70 

T wo  happy  Rivals,  Devotion  and  the  Mufe,  7 1 

On  Divine  Love  : 

The  Hazard  of  Loving  the  Creatures,  74 

Defring  to  love  Christ,  75 

The  Heart  given  away,                    1  ibid. 

Meditation  in  a  Grove  76 

The  Fair  eft  and  the  Only  Beloved,  77 

Mutual  Love  ft ronger  than  Death,  79, 

A  Sight  of  Christ,        i  80 
Love  on  a  Crofs  and  on  a  Throne, 

A  preparatory  Thought  for  the  Lord**  Supper,  ^   83 

Converfe  with   Christ,  ibid. 
Grace  jhining,  and  Nature  fainting^ 

Love 


A    Table, 


Love  to  Christ  prefent  or  abfent, 

B-7 

The  Abfence  of  Christ, 

$$ 

De firing  bis  Defcent  to  Earth? 

89 

Afcending  to  him  in  Heaven, 

?9° 

The  Prefence  of  G  o  d   tvorth  dying  for ;  or,  the  Dt 

■>ath  of 

Mofes, 

ibid. 

Longing  for  his  Return, 

91 

Hope  in  Darknefs, 

92 

Come  Lord  Jesus, 

94 

Bewailing  my  own  Incovflancy, 

95 

Forfaken,  yet  hoping, 

97 

The  Conclufon, 

93 

In  the  SECOND    BOOK. 

To  her  Majefy, 

99 

Palinodia, 

102 

To  John  Locke,   Efq\  retird  from  Bufinefs, 

ibid. 

To  John  Shute,  Efq;  on  Mr.  Locked  Death, 

103 

To  Mr.  William  Nokes  :   Frindjhip, 

104 

To  Nathaniel  Gould,   Efq; 

ibid. 

To  Dr.  Thomas  Gibfon  :   The  Life  of  Souls, 

105 

To  Milo  :  Falfe  Greatnefs, 

107 

To  SarifTa  :  An  Epiflle, 

108 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Bradbury  :  Paradife, 

110 

Stricl  Religion  very  rare, 

112 

To  Mr.  C.  and  S.  Fleetwood, 

114 

To  Mr.  William  Blackbourn  :  Cafim.  B.  II.  Od.  2, 

"5 

True  Monarchy, 

life 

True  Courage, 

117 

To  the  Reverend  Mr.  T.  Rowe  :  Free  Philofopby, 

119 

To  the  Reverend  Mr,  Benoni  Rowe  :  The  Way  of  the  Mul- 

titude, 

120 

To  the  Reverend  Mr.  John  Howe, 

121 

The  Difappointment  and  Relief 

122 

The  Hero's  School  of  Mortality, 

123 

Freedom, 

125 

On  Mr.  Locked  Annotations,  &c, 

126 

True  Riches, 

127 

The  adventurous  Mufe, 

129 

To  Mr.  N.  Clark  :  The  Complaint, 

131 

The  Affiiaions  of  a  Friend, 

■\z 

The  Reverfe  ;  or,  the  Comforts  of  a  Friend? 

133 
To 

A    Table. 

To  the  Right  Honourable  John  Lord  Cuts  :  The  hardy  Sol- 
dier, 135 
Burning  federal  Poems  of  Ovid,  Martial,  £ffr.  ibid. 
To  Mrs.  6.  Bendyfh  :  Again/1  Tears,  136 
Fevo  happy  Matches,  1 37 
To  David  Polhill,  Efa;  an  Epijlle,  1 39 
The  celebrated  Vidory  of  the  Poles,  C5V.  Cafimir.  B.  IV. 
Ode  4.  140 
To  Mr.  Henry  Bendylh  :  The  Indian  Philofopher,  146 
7&?  i^/viy  iV^tf,                         •                                              148 

Ma      .  Polhill,   Efq;  Jin  Anfwer  to  an  infamous  Satire 
■&ikKft  &*vg  William,  151 

To   the  Dijonicnted  and  Unquiet,    Cafim.  J? .  IV.  Od.  15. 

T^ohn  Hartopp,  Efq-,  Cafim.  5.  I.  Od.  4.  156 

7"o  Tho.  Gunfton,    Efq;    Happy  Solitude,    Cafim.  B.  IV- 
0</.  12.  158 

To  John  Hartopp,  J£/J;    The  Difdain,  1 60 

5"<j  Mitio,  my  Friend :    The  Mourning-Piece,  ibid. 

The  Second  Part  ;   or,  the  bright  Vijion,  1 64 

The   Third  Part ;  or,  the  Accounts  balanced,  1 70 

Or  f£*  Death  of  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,    &c.  An  Epi- 
gram, ^  172 
An  Epigram  of  Martial  to  Cirinus,  infcribed  to  Mr,  Jofiah 
Hort,                                                                              ibid. 
Epiftola  Fratri  fuo  dile&o  R.W.                                 173 
Fratri  olim  navigaturo,                                                    175 
Ad  Revcrendum  Virum  Dominum  Johannem  Pinhorne  : 
Carmen  Pindaricum,                                                    ibid. 
Ad  Johannem  Hartoppum,  Boronettum  :  Votum  feu  Vita 
in  Tern's  beata,                                                            17 J? 
To  Mrs.  Singer  ;  on  the  Sight  of  fome  of  her  Divine  Poems 
unprinted,  180 

In   the    THIRD   BOOK. 

An  Epitaph  on  King  William,  \  1 82 

An  Elegiac  Song  on  Mrs.  Peacock,  184 

Epitaphium  Domini  Nathanielis  Matheri,  165 

An  Elegiac  Thought  on  Mrs.  Anne  Warner,  187 

On  the  Death  of  Mrs.  M.  W.  190 

A  Funeral  Poem  on  Thomas  Gunfton,  Efq;  *92 

An  Elegy  on  the  Reverend  Mr.  Gouge,  zo£ 


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